The defeat of LDF candidate MJ Jacob by a huge margin of over 12,000 votes has left the Opposition camp surprised and embarrassed.
E P Jayarajan, MLA from Mattannur in Kannur, led the campaign for the front, sidelining the local leadership, something that took even the local LDF supporters by surprise.
Jayarajan, who was the campaign committee chairman for the LDF, said that the LDF had succeeded in getting most of its assured votes.
“However, we expected to add 6,000 fresh votes which did not happen and these votes went in favour of the UDF. We will undertake a critical assessment and find out how we lost these votes," Jayarajan, said.
The CPI(M) leader refused to explain why his team from Kannur controlled the campaign, leaving local leaders in the background.
Jayarajan, also refused to comment on whether the remarks against Sindhu Joy and her subsequent campaigning for UDF candidate Anoop Jacob had turned a good section of the women voters against the LDF.
The party and the front would look into all the aspects that led to the defeat, he said.
Jayarajan, said that the UDF played the communal card after getting the support of a number of community-based organisations.
"Besides, the UDF used money and liquor power to woo the voters," he added.