Thiruvananthapuram: It’s a Rude jolt for Left front

Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) may have attributed the UDF’s stunning victory to consolidation of minorities and voters belief that only the Congress could take on Narendra Modi-led BJP at the national level, but the reasons for the complete rout calls for detailed introspection.

The CPM leaders say the intensive campaign carried out by the Left parties against Narendra Modi government benefited the UDF. The anti-Modi political climate created by the Left went in favour of the UDF. The Congress cadre who were galvanised by Rahul Gandhi’s arrival in Kerala, succeeded in reaching out to people with the slogan that only Congress with its pan India presence, can take on Modi.

In Rahul, a big section of voters also saw a leader capable of challenging the prime minister at the national level. This led to consolidation of minorities in favour of UDF in many constituencies.

The lack of clarity in Left Front’s stand on pre-poll  and post poll alliances also left the voter confused. Though the LDF repeatedly said it would support a secular formation at the Centre, there was no clear hint whether it would support UPA, third front or the federal front.

The Left which had directed its campaign against Modi right from the beginning was also caught in a dilemma after Congress president’s entry in the electoral fray. Many believe the CPM remained in a state of confusion on how to handle Rahul. Though the party made attempts to neutralise his impact, there was no effective strategy worth the name.

Many in the Left seemed confident that Rahul will have no impact beyond Wayanad and couple of neighbouring constituencies.

Many also believed the Sabarimala issue also contributed to the Left’s defeat. Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took a bold stand in implementing Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, there was a feeling in some sections that the LDF government had shown undue haste.

The CPM leaders say a more realistic and concrete assessment of the huge defeat will be carried out after getting reports from Constituency, district and booth level committees.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said if needed the party would make amends, rectify its mistakes and regain its lost ground.

With the local bodies’ elections only a year away, the party will have to start the process right away.

Kodiyeri calls it unexpected, but temporary situation

After losing 19 out of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the State to the UDF, CPM State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said that this was an “unexpected situation, but it was only temporary”.

 The Left has faced similar failures before also. In the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, we could not win any seats, but we came back in 1980. In 1984, also we had a major setback. However, in 1987, we overcame all those obstacles. So this is also temporary,” said Mr Balakrishnan. The state has witnessed a Congress wave in 2019. However, it had witnessed a Left wave in 2004. The Left respects the decision of the people of the state, said Mr Balakrishnan.

 The victory of the BJP at the national level hinted that the country is all set to face a great tragedy.

If any mistakes have happened from our side, we are ready to take necessary steps to correct it. Other factors will be forgotten when there is a wave. It was the LDF that campaigned to end the BJP rule. This favoured the Congress in the state. The party state committee will soon evaluate the basic reasons of this defeat, Mr Balakrishnan added.