Thiruvananthapuram, May 15 -- Keralam Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan on Friday said the people of Kerala have sent a strong message in favour of secularism through the Assembly election verdict and asserted that attempts to spread hatred in the state would not succeed.

Addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan said, "Some people are trying to start the hate campaign in Kerala. This is secular Kerala. The result of this election is a declaration of Kerala people to the entire country that our state is secular. We will keep it that way."

Responding to criticism from the BJP's Kerala unit, he said the ideological battle between the Congress and the BJP revolves around preserving secular values. "They are always trying to...