Congress demands resignation of Kerala govt

Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress, who led the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) to wrest power from the ruling Left Democratic Front(LDF) in major number of Kerala municipalities, has demanded resignation of Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan.

Six months ahead of the Assembly polls in the state, the UDF made substantial gains in the municipal elections, results of which were declared late Wednesday.

The UDF won 42 of the 78 municipalities and the LDF, headed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist, won only 18.

?It is a verdict of the people against the ruling parties despite all malpractices and violence”, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said.

“The UDF got the mandate of the people, who want to get rid of red violence in the state.The Chief Minister should quit now,? Chennithala said.

The Chief minister, however,described the defeat only as a temporary setback.

?The UDF has managed to win with the help of communal and fascist forces,? Achuthanandan said.

Of the five city corporations, all of which were held by the LDF, the UDF wrested Thrissur and Kochi.

Kochi municipality had been under Left control for 30 years.

The LDF retained power In Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, but with thin majority.

Counting of votes in Kozhikode, the fifth city corporation, has been postponed to October 31.

Of the 14 district councils, the UDF won eight and the LDF six.

The UDF has also notched up substantial gains at the block and gram panchayat levels.