You won despite heavy odds.
It was a very tough fight and I thank all who ensured the victory. But I also feel bad, like a batsman who has scored a century while his team has lost. It is a bittersweet emotion.
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What factors worked in your favour?
My track record as an MP is the major factor that helped me win for the third time. I could do a lot for the constituency in the last 10 years. I have only made the voters of Thiruvananthapuram proud and they know it. That the enlightened voters of Thiruvannathapuram chose me for a third time is indeed a matter of pride.
Many surveys had predicted that the BJP will open its account in Kerala by winning Thiruvananthapuram.
The BJP tried its best to flare up communal feelings to achieve that. For them, the election was all about the Sabarimala issue. But what they did not understand is that Kerala is not north India and that the same communal card will not work here. We are broadminded and inclusive by nature. The BJP failed to understand this basic truth.
Kerala, again, bucked the trend.
I feel so proud. Kerala has stood against the wave and sent a strong message.
But the Congress has failed miserably in the rest of the country.
Frankly, I am shocked. We never expected this kind of a verdict. All our calculations went wrong.
Why such a massive drubbing?
We need to sit together and introspect to understand the reasons. Hope that will happen soon.