Veteran Congress leaders in Kerala on Sunday gracefully accepted their defeat in the April 6 Assembly polls as it seemed the party-led United Democratic Front will, in all likelihood, end up with less seats than 2016.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that they are gracefully accepting the verdict, but will pursue the allegations against the Vijayan government. "We did not expect this sort of result... We will sit down now and do an introspection on what happened.

Two-time former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who has scripted new history by winning 12 consecutive Assembly elections, starting from 1970, from his home turf Puthupally in Kottayam district, to equal the record of late K.M.Mani, said: "We are not sad by this as we see this as a challenge."

State Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran sees the defeat as a defeat and will look into it. He said – “Our self-confidence has not been dented at all. At this time I wish to thank all the party workers who toiled hard and also to the people who extended their support to us. Each and every aspect will be discussed by us and as the head of the party, I have a responsibility. I will meet all of you after making a detailed assessment."

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