NEW DELHI: For the first time since 1977, India will have no Communist-governed state as Kerala voters oust the CPM-led LDF and hand a victory to the Congress-led UDF.The loss presents the Left its biggest challenge - maintaining its relevance at the national level in the face of declining influence.The UDF rode an anti-incumbency wave against the Pinarayi Vijayan govt - in office since 2016 - winning 102 seats in the 140-member assembly.

The Kerala setback may also diminish the Left's clout in INDIA bloc. There is talk the results will prompt realignments in the bloc, with two key allies - TMC in Bengal and DMK in TN - being ousted from govt.For CPM, what added to the ignominy of defeat was the victory of three CPM rebels. The victory of former CPM Kannur district committee member V Kunhikrishnan as a UDF-supported Independent in Payyannur, in the red citadel of Kannur, underscored party cadres' anger against the leadership over alleged nepotism and financial misappropriation.Former CPM district secretariat member TK Govindan defeated CPM state secretary MV Govindan's wife PK Shyamala in Thaliparamba. Former minister G Sudhakaran's success as a UDF-supported Independent completed the shock.