THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Union Minister V Muraleedharan clarified that he has nothing to say about the defeat in Palakkad. While talking to the media, he said that he was given the responsibility of Maharashtra and would talk about it.

‘In this election, the party had given me the charge of Maharashtra. From mid-August to November 20, my focus was on the elections in Maharashtra. As I am an important leader, the party gave me the responsibility of Maharashtra. So, if you are interested to know about Maharashtra, I will brief you. The party will evaluate what was planned here, what was implemented and what was not executed. If there is anything to say at this stage, the president will say it. What else can I say,' said Muraleedharan.

Meantime, the state BJP is on the verge of an explosion in the wake of the miserable defeat in Palakkad. Making these clear, senior leaders, including some, have come forward with public responses against the state leadership. Krishnadas and Shobha Surendran factions have started moves to replace K Surendran. BJP district committee member Surendran Tharoor also made a public statement on a private channel that one cannot win just because the state president camped in Palakkad. He said that when there was disagreement to the candidature of C Krishna Kumar, the leadership should have considered this and fielded someone else. State vice president B Gopalakrishnan had earlier said that there were flaws in the organizational system. Senior leader N Sivarajan said the party leadership should be strengthened.

Krishna Kumar was made candidate as nominee of K Surendran. Surendran directly controlled all matters including the campaign. Surendran, whose concentration was only in Palakkad, went to Chelakkara, another constituency where the by-election was held, only for a day or two. While the party's vote share increased significantly there, the BJP's votes decreased even in Palakkad party centers.

Although the demand to field Shobha Surendran as a candidate in Palakkad was strong, the leadership did not pay attention to it. Even when senior leader Sandeep Varier, who had a lot of influence, left the party and joined the Congress, the leadership took it lightly and did not take any steps to bring him back. Workers and leaders believe that all this reduced the party's votes.