Kottayam: As Puthuppally handed UDF's Chandy Oommen a historic mandate in the bypoll, Congress veteran Ramesh Chennithala said the people have rooted out LDF from the constituency. 

"The result is a warning against the anti-people rule of the LDF government," he added.

Meanwhile, the CPM admitted to an early defeat. Party leader A K Balan said it would have taken a miracle for the LDF to win Puthuppally. 

"There's nothing surprising about this. A constituency held by Oommen Chandy for 52 years. A constituency that has seen the UDF win by a margin of 33,000 votes in the past. For the LDF to win would have been one of the wonders of the world." said Balan.

Biggest guard of honour from Puthuppally: Mariya Oommen

Chandy Oommen's sister Mariya, talking to the media, said the people of Puthuppally have accepted my brother as their own, just like they did my father.

"This is the biggest guard of honour Puthuppally could give my father. Without a doubt, we will win the elections with a huge margin," said Mariya.

Achu Oommen said the result was an answer to the witchhunt they had to endure all these years. "This is Puthuppally's response to the question what did Oommen Chandy do for the constituency in 53 years," she said.  

EP Jayarajan blames BJP

LDF convener E P Jayarajan pinned the blame on the BJP for the LDF's defeat in Puthuppally. 

"Where have all the BJP votes gone? Their candidate has not even gotten assured votes," said Jayarajan.

He also said there was no split in the Left's votes.