The defeat suffered by the LDF in the Assembly elections in Kerala is unexpected, says the CPI(M) state secretariat analysis. Acknowledging the setback, the CPI(M) State Secretariat added that necessary steps will be taken to correct the shortcomings.
“By implementing policies in the context of globalisation, the LDF government was able to transform Kerala from a state in distress into one moving forward by addressing extreme poverty. The government also succeeded in implementing all the promises made to the people in its manifesto, which was prepared with a focus on Kerala’s development. As a result, significant progress was achieved across all sectors in the state. The agricultural and industrial sectors were strengthened. In welfare schemes, Kerala became a model for the entire country. The government’s work in health, education, housing, sanitation and related sectors also became exemplary nationwide,” the state secretariat said, rejecting anti-incumbency as the reason for the severe poll debacle.
The state secretariat also claimed that the LDF government succeeded in maintaining communal harmony in Kerala. “The government also took strong positions against the Centre’s moves aimed at creating a religious state and in defending federalism. Alongside mass movements, such struggles were also pursued in courts, strengthening democratic politics across the country,” the statement said. Notably, the BJP won three seats for the first time in Kerala in this election, even as the CPI(M) continues to project itself as the primary defender against the BJP. Notably, all three seats that the BJP won were sitting seats of the LDF.
The state secretariat said it had expected the LDF government to return to power, but an unexpected setback occurred. “The criticisms that have emerged and the shortcomings will be examined, and steps to address them will be formulated in the coming days,” it added. Nevertheless, the response from the CPI(M) leadership largely rejects the existence of anti-incumbency even now.
CPI(M) general secretary M. A. Baby, interestingly, chose to criticise party rebels who contested against the party, while rejecting any anti-LDF government stance. Citing examples of senior leaders who left the party and contested independently with the UDF support, he said the party would examine why such ambitions to become candidates arise among comrades at different levels.
“We have observed that such deviations exist at various levels within the party. In the coming days, the party will take up the struggle against them,” he said.
Responding to questions on anti-incumbency, he added that the media had long maintained there was no such sentiment. “The media themselves pointed that out. We have also received reports from several independent studies. Even in those reports, there has been no indication that the government acted against the people or that voters expressed dissatisfaction over any wrong decisions,” he said.
CPIM state secretariat member M. Swaraj, who was the main spokesperson for the party during the campaign phase, meanwhile, reacted to the poll debacle, saying it was an undeserved defeat. “The LDF should not have lost. Under its governance, the state witnessed comprehensive progress—even its opponents would acknowledge that. Yet, it has lost the election. This is nothing but an undeserved defeat,” he noted in his social media page.