CPI(M) blames 'BJP's opting out' and 'state terror' for defeat

The CPI(M) today attributed its defeat in the Howrah Lok Sabha bye-election to the Trinamool Congress getting entire votes of the BJP which did not contest the election and to TMC 'terror', while applauding its increase in vote share.
"The increase in our vote share is obviously a positive sign in favour of the Left. But the reign of terror created by the Trinamool to stop people from voting and BJP deciding to opt out, proved to be deciding factors," CPI(M) central committee member Mohammed Salim told PTI.
Salim said, the entire vote share of the BJP went to TMC's kitty, which in turn helped increase the party's vote share.

Trinamool Congress candidate Prasun Banerjee won the bye-election defeating his nearest CPI(M) rival Sridip Bhattacherjee by a margin of over 27,000 votes.