Bihar verdict beginning of Modi's downfall: Chandy

The BJP's Bihar defeat marks the beginning of the downfall of the Narendra Modi government, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Sunday.

Chandy telephoned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Bihar state Congress president Ashok Choudhary and congratulated them on their thumping win in the assembly elections.

"Modi's strategy of dividing people on communal and divisive lines has fallen flat. The beauty of Indian democracy is its unity in diversity, and Modi has played spoilsport. His government has now become a liability for the country," a statement from Chandy said.

He also hit out at the CPI-M led Left for failing to back the Grand Alliance in Bihar.

"In Delhi and in Kerala the CPI-M breathes fire against the BJP. But in Bihar, they contested the elections alone to split the secular votes so as to help the BJP," said Chandy.

He said the Bihar result would provide the impetus for the unification of all democratic and secular forces in the country.