From correspondents in Kerala, India, 09:30 PM IST

Thiruvananthapuram - Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy was set to become the leader of opposition in the new assembly after being elected the leader of the Congress legislature party (CLP) Wednesday night.

The Congress executive meeting, in which Chandy was elected as CLP leader, was attended by former chief minister A.K. Antony, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Congress general secretary Veerappa Moily, state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala, senior party leaders and legislators.

'Chandy's election as CLP leader was unanimous. His name was proposed by (former speaker) Therambil Ramakrishnan and seconded by Aryadan Mohammed. The other leaders of the party would be announced later,' Chennithala told reporters here.

In last month's assembly polls, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) managed to win 42 seats, as the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) emerged victorious, begging 92 seats.

V.S. Achuthanandan, who served as leader of opposition when Chandy was chief minister, is the new chief minister.

Chandy, who has not lost a single election since being elected to the assembly in 1970 from the Puthupally constituency in Kottayam district, has not served as leader of opposition before.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)