Following a recent electoral setback, the CPI(M) is launching a public outreach program to solicit suggestions and criticisms aimed at strengthening its political and ideological positions, accepting feedback through WhatsApp and email from supporters and the general public, including those abroad, while rejecting anti-incumbency as the sole cause for the defeat and instead citing dissatisfaction in specific sectors and a perceived understanding between the BJP and UDF. The party's internal review acknowledged a failure to anticipate the setback and admitted organizational deficiencies, poor candidate selection, and an inability to effectively communicate government achievements or counter right-wing media narratives, while also alleging that the UDF and Muslim League exploited electoral roll concerns and religious identity politics to alienate minority communities, and that the BJP and UDF electorally aided each other, including through perceived Congress-BJP coordination against the CPI(M). The review also highlighted issues with the implementation of PM SHRI, the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor, and government inaction regarding the Governor, asserting that the party's stance against saffronization was undermined by the UDF's support, and that a narrative of BJP-LDF understanding was falsely promoted while a BJP-UDF understanding was in play. Furthermore, the party expressed concern that its opposition to certain statements was not perceived as strong enough, admitting mistakes in managing public perception surrounding events and cases, but maintained that neither the Chief Minister nor the state secretary were individually responsible for the electoral results, attributing failures to collective leadership.

Following a recent electoral setback, the CPI(M) is launching a public outreach program to solicit suggestions and criticisms aimed at strengthening its political and ideological positions, accepting feedback through WhatsApp and email from supporters and the general public, including those abroad, while rejecting anti-incumbency as the sole cause for the defeat and instead citing dissatisfaction in specific sectors and a perceived understanding between the BJP and UDF. The party's internal review acknowledged a failure to anticipate the setback and admitted organizational deficiencies, poor candidate selection, and an inability to effectively communicate government achievements or counter right-wing media narratives, while also alleging that the UDF and Muslim League exploited electoral roll concerns and religious identity politics to alienate minority communities, and that the BJP and UDF electorally aided each other, including through perceived Congress-BJP coordination against the CPI(M). The review also highlighted issues with the implementation of PM SHRI, the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor, and government inaction regarding the Governor, asserting that the party's stance against saffronization was undermined by the UDF's support, and that a narrative of BJP-LDF understanding was falsely promoted while a BJP-UDF understanding was in play. Furthermore, the party expressed concern that its opposition to certain statements was not perceived as strong enough, admitting mistakes in managing public perception surrounding events and cases, but maintained that neither the Chief Minister nor the state secretary were individually responsible for the electoral results, attributing failures to collective leadership.

Following a recent electoral setback, the CPI(M) is launching a public outreach program to solicit suggestions and criticisms aimed at strengthening its political and ideological positions, accepting feedback through WhatsApp and email from supporters and the general public, including those abroad, while rejecting anti-incumbency as the sole cause for the defeat and instead citing dissatisfaction in specific sectors and a perceived understanding between the BJP and UDF. The party's internal review acknowledged a failure to anticipate the setback and admitted organizational deficiencies, poor candidate selection, and an inability to effectively communicate government achievements or counter right-wing media narratives, while also alleging that the UDF and Muslim League exploited electoral roll concerns and religious identity politics to alienate minority communities, and that the BJP and UDF electorally aided each other, including through perceived Congress-BJP coordination against the CPI(M). The review also highlighted issues with the implementation of PM SHRI, the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor, and government inaction regarding the Governor, asserting that the party's stance against saffronization was undermined by the UDF's support, and that a narrative of BJP-LDF understanding was falsely promoted while a BJP-UDF understanding was in play. Furthermore, the party expressed concern that its opposition to certain statements was not perceived as strong enough, admitting mistakes in managing public perception surrounding events and cases, but maintained that neither the Chief Minister nor the state secretary were individually responsible for the electoral results, attributing failures to collective leadership.

The CPI(M) will invite suggestions and criticism to strengthen its political and ideological positions through a public outreach programme. Party state secretary M.V. Govindan announced that the party would seek suggestions not only from CPI(M) supporters but also from the general public, including those living abroad.

Although the party suffered a major electoral setback in the recent assembly polls, it rejected the argument that anti-incumbency was responsible for the debacle.

"There was no broad anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF government. While the government's performance was generally appreciated, dissatisfaction had developed in traditional sectors such as coir and construction," Govindan said while announcing the unanimous approval of the party's review report.

As part of the review process, the party will invite suggestions through WhatsApp and e-mail on the challenges it faces and on how Kerala can be taken forward. Opinions from all sections of society, including the media, will be welcomed.

Govindan said the review process revealed that the state committee had failed to anticipate such a setback, and the party accepted this as a matter of self-criticism.

The CPI(M) review claimed that in around 30 constituencies, BJP votes went to the UDF, while in certain constituencies, UDF votes went to the BJP, indicating a BJP-UDF understanding.

"During the elections, leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, came to Kerala and questioned why the ED had not arrested Pinarayi Vijayan. This demonstrated how the Congress-BJP understanding was functioning. Rahul Gandhi's attacks on the CPI(M) were prompted by the Congress leadership in Kerala," Govindan said.

The review argued that while a narrative of a BJP-LDF understanding was promoted against the CPI(M) during the elections, it was actually the BJP and the UDF that had helped each other electorally.

"Identity politics is being promoted to weaken the CPI(M). It has also been used to magnify the Left's losses," Govindan said.

In a self-critical assessment, the party observed that the LDF had lost support across different sections of society. However, Govindan added that the party could not conclude that any particular community had consolidated against it.

The review claimed that concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were exploited by the UDF to alienate minority communities from the LDF.

"Religion was used to create communal divisions," Govindan alleged, "with the Muslim League playing a leading role. This could have long-term consequences."

The review said the Muslim League had earlier maintained a more secular position but was now relying on communal polarisation, with the Congress supporting the approach.

According to the party, the BJP's vote share declined because a section of the BJP's votes was transferred to the Congress.

The party also alleged that V.D. Satheesan had met representatives of the Adani Group as well as NDA leaders but had not disclosed the purpose of those meetings.

The implementation of PM SHRI and the appointment of the new MG University Vice-Chancellor also came under criticism. The review alleged that the government was unwilling to criticise the Governor. It said the LDF had taken a firm stand against saffronisation while the UDF had supported it. According to the party, these developments pointed to a BJP-UDF understanding.

As part of its self-criticism, the party admitted that it had failed to effectively communicate the developmental achievements of the Pinarayi Vijayan government to the public and was also unable to counter attacks by the right-wing media.

The review identified organisational deficiencies within the party. Candidate selection emerged as an issue in Payyannur and Thaliparamba, the party observed.

Govindan reiterated that the CPI(M) had consistently opposed the anti-Muslim statements made by Vellappally Natesan.

However, the review acknowledged that a perception had developed among the public that the party had failed to strongly counter Vellappally's recent anti-Muslim rhetoric and had not intervened forcefully enough. The party secretary also dismissed criticism over Pinarayi Vijayan accompanying Vellappally to the Ayyappa Sangamam venue.

Govindan said that although the Ayyappa Sangamam was organised by the Devaswom Board, a narrative emerged that it was a government event. The review said that reading out a message from Yogi Adityanath at the event had been a mistake and admitted that the party had failed to effectively counter the campaign portraying it as a government programme.

The state secretary added that in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the party had sought an explanation from the accused A. Padmakumar. However, it admitted that it could not effectively counter criticism that disciplinary action had not been taken immediately after the allegations surfaced.

The party’s position is that the Central and State governments were jointly targeting the CPI(M). It claimed that the ED raid on Pinarayi Vijayan's residence and the ED’s actions in the Karuvannur case were part of this campaign and said the party would respond by organising mass agitations. However, state secretary M.V. Govindan clarified that as long as the ED’s [CMRL-Exalogic] case remained confined to Veena T., daughter of Vijayan, the party would not intervene and she would fight the case through legal means. If the investigation were to directly implicate Vijayan, the party would confront it both legally and politically.

The review document will now be discussed at all levels of the party organisation.

Govindan stressed that the review had found neither Pinarayi Vijayan nor the party's state secretary personally responsible for the electoral setback. Responding to questions about their accountability, he said the CPI(M) functioned through collective leadership and that there was no question of individual failure.

Those who wish to make suggestions can reach the party via WhatsApp number (+91 79947 77168) or e-mail (puthuvazhikal@gmail.com).

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