Kerala CM stands tall post elections
The UDF was super confident that the Left’s base had eroded almost irreversibly and the trend would continue.
Thiruvananthapuram: The more the opposition UDF attacks chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the more he becomes stronger, seems to be the current state of affairs in Kerala’s political sphere.
The opposition had unleashed a no holds barred attack on Pinarayi on the issue of Sabariamala, handling of floods, relief-rehabilitation work and corruption charges related to KIIFB. However, the UDF strategy to target him and in turn weaken LDF seems to have fallen flat if the huge victory in Vattiyoorkavu and Konni is any indication.
Soon after the announcement of bypoll to five constituencies, the UDF had dared Pinarayi to accept the elections as referendum on his government's performance. The chief minister accepted the challenge like he did in Pala bypoll.
After losing 19 of the 20 seats in Lok Sabha elections, the opposition had attributed LDF’s humongous defeat to Pinarayi’s arrogant behavior and his government’s failures. The UDF was super confident that the Left’s base had eroded almost irreversibly and the trend would continue.
However, even in the worst defeat chief minister was confident that it was temporary setback and LDF would spring back. BJP, RSS and Congress which did a U turn on Sabarimala had tried to keep the issue alive even after LS polls. Sangh Parivar used its entire might to portray Pinarayi ‘anti’ Hindu, Congress described him as ‘anti' believers and NSS came out on the streets.
However, many say the chief minister tackled the issue administratively, politically and ideologically. His initiative to form the Rennaissance Values Protection Committee effectively countered Sangh Parivar agenda to create a broad Hindu unity against Left
The chief minister brought Christian and Muslim leaders on board renaissance panel to give the committee a secular character.Many community organisations are now cooperating with the government in renaissance protection committee which has added to the strength of the chief minister.
Clearly Pinarayi has emerged stronger after each election post Lok Sabha polls. With the local bodies poll and assembly elections to be held in less than two years from now, the chief minister is keen to keep up the momentum and bring more sections of people into LDF fold.