Kerala CPM diagnosing causes behind electoral reverses, line of treatment to be finalised soon
Thiruvanthapuram: In the wake of the significant defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Kerala's ruling CPM has undertaken a comprehensive exercise to assess the actual causes of the considerable vote loss, particularly in its bastions, and to develop a strategy to counter the BJP's growing influence in the state.
The CPM-led LDF secured only one out of the 20 seats in this election. While the front experienced a similar setback in 2019, the 2024 results are notable as the BJP has emerged as a major force making its debut from Thrissur and increasing its vote share to nearly 20 per cent.
However, what is even more alarming for the CPM is the BJP's expansion in traditional Marxist strongholds such as Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Alappuzha, and the Left bastions of Kannur and Kasargod.
Throughout its campaign, the CPM cautioned voters against voting for Congress, claiming that "today's Congress is tomorrow's BJP." This sentiment was also a recurring theme in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's speeches at public gatherings.
It appears that a significant portion of the electorate `heeded’ their advice and refrained from voting for the Congress, opting instead to support the BJP. The shift of a segment of the traditional OBC Ezhava vote bank towards the BJP has raised concerns within the CPM.
With the BJP undertaking exhaustive efforts to consolidate its advancements within the Ezhava community, the CPM's task of regaining its eroded base becomes even tougher. Likewise, the BJP's growing sway over a segment of the Christian population is also cause for concern.
Many in CPM believe that overlooking the BJP's expansion could be risky. Simply asserting "This is Kerala, the BJP will never win here" is insufficient, as the recent election results have shown.
Kerala CPM also needs to look at West Bengal, which witnessed a substantial shift of the Left's base to the BJP. For numerous Left leaders, workers, and cadres, transitioning from Marxian ideology to RSS ideology seemed a natural progression.
The government’s unpopularity proved expensive
Although the CPM's state leadership hesitates to acknowledge the verdict as a referendum on the government's performance, a significant number of district and local leaders hold a contrary belief. Many party workers believe the chief minister’s perceived arrogance has also contributed to the party's unpopularity among voters.
In addition to electoral setbacks, the CPM is confronting significant organizational challenges. Reports from Kannur suggest that a section of party people have alleged links with gold smuggling and underworld activities.
Kannur, known as a stronghold of the left, is now embroiled in a significant controversy. Manu Thomas, a former CPM Kannur district committee member, caused a stir recently by accusing the son of a top party leader of being the kingpin of gold smuggling and underworld activities. The CPM district leadership has denied the allegations, for obvious reasons.
On the other hand, Binoy Viswam, the state secretary of CPI, the second-largest ally of CPM in Kerala, hit out at the alarming gold smuggling and underworld activities involving party people. Kannur boasted a proud legacy of the Kaiyoor, Karivallur, and Thillankeri peasant uprisings. But such incidents are an insult to the red flag, he said.
Left leaders believe that the communist parties can only regain people's trust by distancing themselves from such shady elements. Those who succumb to the underworld and become conduits for corrupt funds betray the Left's principles, they say.
Many believe it is time to comply with the guidelines issued by the CPM through its rectification document; renounce all virtues unbecoming of communists such as bureaucratism, factionalism, arrogance, lavish lifestyles, and any malpractices that are contrary to the principles of communism.