CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on May 23

THE Indian electorate has given a decisive verdict in favour of the BJP and its allies.

The CPI(M) has suffered a severe setback in these elections.  We shall introspect the reasons for this and draw proper lessons for the future. 

The CPI(M) thanks all those people who have voted for its candidates.  The PB salutes all those who worked in carrying forward the CPI(M)’s message in these elections to the people. 

There are very big challenges ahead regarding the defence of our secular democratic republic, the institutions of constitutional authority, people’s rights and livelihood issues.

The Polit Bureau calls upon the people to safeguard harmony and to unitedly come forward to meet these challenges in the future. 

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CPI(M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, addressing a press conference on May 23, whilst the results of the 17th Lok Sabha elections were being announced, said that the Indian electorate has given a decisive verdict in favour of the BJP and its allies.

Replying to the questions from the media, he said it is not appropriate right now to list the reasons for the severe setback that the CPI(M) has faced. He said a thorough exercise will be conducted from the lower level to the highest to dig into the reasons for such a mandate. He further said that the Party’s Polit Bureau and the Central Committee will meet soon to discuss and adopt tasks to strengthen the Party.

On a query, that, had there been a stronger unity among the opposition parties, the results could be different; he said that in a majority of the states, where BJP is winning according to the trends, it is getting more than 50 per cent of the votes. Hence, in the given situation alliances may not have worked, as desired, he quipped.