Defiant Achuthanandan refuses to resign over poll debacle

The CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is leading in just four out of the state's 20 seats while the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is ahead in the others. In 2004, the LDF had won 19 out of the 20 seats.

When asked whom he thought was responsible for the defeat, pat came the answer: "The party politburo is meeting on 18th. The central committee, the state secretariat and the state committee will all meet to discuss about this defeat."

"I will let you all know after the various party meetings are over," Achuthanandan told reporters at his residence here Saturday.

"We expected a better performance and now we will have to examine why this happened. But this verdict has got nothing to do with the governance of the Left government. We will learn from the failures and will work hard to strengthen the LDF," said Achuthanandan.

When the reporters continued to ask him more questions, his aide came and was heard telling him to end the press conference.
The LDF government completes three years in office Tuesday