Kerala's voters rejected the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front's bid to return for a third consecutive term, winning only 35 out of 140 seats in the state.
This marks the first time the Left front will not be in power in any Indian state since 1977.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sent his letter of resignation as chief minister to state governor Rajendra Arlekar.
The LDF's 'Nava Keralam' pitch, which aimed to continue building a "new Kerala" under Vijayan, failed to find ground with large sections of voters.
The middle-class's dissatisfaction over rising inflation and unemployment among educated youth, along with allegations of senior CPI(M) leaders being involved in the gold theft case, contributed to the defeat.
