Kerala: RSP(L) leader Kovoor Kunjumon breaks down after electoral defeat

RSPL leader Kovoor Kunjumon, who lost the Assembly election from the Kunnathoor constituency after representing the seat for 25 years, broke down on Friday while speaking about his political future and electoral defeat. Speaking to reporters, Kunjumon said he had stood with the people and brought development to the constituency over the past 25 years.

RSP(L) leader Kovoor Kunjumon, who lost the Assembly election from the Kunnathoor constituency after representing the seat for 25 years, broke down on Friday while speaking about his political future and electoral defeat. The Revolutionary Socialist Party (Leninist-Marxist) leader had been winning elections from the constituency since 2001. Originally part of the RSP, the faction led by Kunjumon split from the parent party in 2016, forming the RSP(L) after the RSP joined the UDF in 2014. The new faction later aligned with the LDF. Kunjumon was defeated by RSP leader Ullas Kovoor by a margin of nearly 25,000 votes. Speaking to reporters, Kunjumon said he had stood with the people and brought development to the constituency over the past 25 years. ''I was able to bring all government aid for the development of the constituency. I lived among the people, and I still do. I accept the defeat, and the LDF will come back strongly,'' Kunjumon said. He said he still could not understand the ''undercurrent'' that led to the defeat, despite the LDF government carrying out development activities. ''Even when there was a major UDF wave, the constituency stood firmly with the LDF. Where the vote leakage happened will be identified and examined,'' he said. He said transparency had been his strength and that he would continue to work for the people despite the defeat. Kunjumon became emotional and broke down when reporters asked him how he was coping with the defeat and about a new car he had purchased before the election. He said life remained the same. ''When Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan travelled in a black car, I too desired to own a similar car. All my savings were in chit funds, and I used them to buy the car for Rs 27 lakh. There is no problem with it,'' he said emotionally. He denied allegations that no Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded projects had been implemented in the constituency and said roads, bridges, and schools had been developed using those funds. ''The constituency witnessed development activities worth Rs 1,010 crore. Some projects that were initiated are yet to be completed,'' he said. Kunjumon said his failure was that the development activities carried out in the constituency were not highlighted through flex boards and campaign propaganda during the election. ''I am not a person who engages in such propaganda. But now I feel such efforts should have been made,'' he said.