Putting up a brave face after the ruling Congress-led UDF suffered a big blow in the civic elections, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the UDF's foundation had not been shaken and described BJP's performance as "transitory".
Though UDF had expected better results, the confidence of the Front had not been dented with the present setback, Chandy told reporters here shortly after poll results were out.
"There is no truth in the propaganda that UDF has crumbled. When compared to the 2010 civic polls, there has been some fall in the number of seats won. But nothing has happened to the UDF base and people's support to us," Chandy said.
Recalling his campaign statement that the poll verdict would be a referendum on the UDF government, Chandy said "this is the time to examine the flaws. We will take necessary corrective steps at the party and front levels."
However, Chandy said the verdict was a "warning and that we accept. We will continue our work to fulfil's people's needs."
On BJP's better performance in various wards across the state, he said "the saffron party's victory and the communal polarisation it makes has to be viewed seriously. Their present victory is only transitory."
He also claimed that BJP had not polled the same number of votes it had garnered during the last Lok Sabha election.
Congress, he said, would continue to oppose BJP's policies. "We are not viewing BJP's performance as a new development. Congress is the only party in the country which has continuously opposed the communal approach of BJP by upholding the values of secularism."
Chandy, however, sidestepped a question whether the bar bribery issue, involving state Finance Minister K M Mani, had adversely affected UDF prospects.
"Bar case is not new. It is being debated in the state since the past one year. During the recent Aruvikkara bypoll, which the UDF had won, this was a topic of discussion," Chandy said.
He also made it clear that the UDF would not have any tie-up with BJP to come to power in local bodies.
