Lok Sabha results a setback, says CPI

The Communist Party of India (CPI) admitted Monday that the Lok Sabha election results were a "setback" for the Left.

The CPI assessment followed its National Executive's "preliminary review" of the election that concluded Sunday.

"The results are a setback for us and the Left parties all over the country," D. Raja, the party's national secretary, told IANS.

Raja said further discussions on the electoral reverses would be analysed by the party's National Council next month.

According to him, the National Executive felt that the results of the Lok Sabha election reflected the anger among the people against the misrule of the Congress-led UPA government.

"The BJP led by Narendra Modi was able to take advantage of the situation in the absence of a viable alternative (to the UPA)," Raja added.

Asked if the CPI would retain its status of a national party since it has won just one Lok Sabha seat, he said the decision would be taken by the Election Commission.