New Delhi, Thursday, 18 December 2008: After meeting Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh while speaking to scribes in New Delhi, Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan blamed the local CPM leaders for the defeat of the party in Shoranur by- election.

Chief Minister said, some foolish actions of local leaders who tried to oust party workers proved costly for the Party.

However, expressing confidence VS Achuthanandan said, he does not think the Party workers have lost confidence in its leaders, he also added that the Party can overcome such defeat.

In eight of the nine wards in Shoranur Municipality in Palakkad district where by-election was held on December 17, the Janakeeya Vikasana Samithi (peoples Development Front- PDF) newly formed by the CPI(M) dissidents managed to secure a historic win by defeating CPM candidates in eight wards.

This has now reduced the ruling LDF to a minority - 14 from 22 seats - in the 30 member-municipal council.