JD(S) played a crucial role in defeating CPI(M): Mullapally

The support extended to the Congress by the JD(S) played a "crucial role" in defeating the Marxist party in Vatakara, former Union Minister and winning candidate Mullappally Ramachandran said today.    

"The support offered by JD(S) state President M P Veerendrakumar was quite crucial in deciding the outcome," he told a private TV channel here.     

CPI(M)'s P Sathi Devi, regarded as a 'red fortress' since long, had won from Vatakara last time by a margin of over 1.30 lakh votes, but lost this time by 56,667 votes.     

Thanking IUML state General Secretary P K Kunhalikutty, who took special interest in deciding Ramachandran's candidature, he said "the League and JD(S) are very much responsible for my victory."     

Ever since the CPI(M) denied the Kozhikode seat to JD(S), the party Veerendrakumar openly declared that his party would work against the LDF candidates across the state.     

On whether he would return to the central Cabinet once again, Ramachandran said he was an humble and loyal worker of the party and was prepared to take up any responsibility.     

However, it was for the party high command to decide such matters, he added.