Thiruvananthapuram: Along with people from the Hindu community, voters from the Christian and Muslim communities too abandoned the Left Democratic Front (LDF) during the Lok Sabha polls, handing the CPM-led alliance its biggest defeat. Even the traditional voters went against the LDF, the CPM state secretariat noted as it began to analyse the poll debacle.
The leadership is of the opinion that an intensive and deep course-correction measures need to be adopted to rise from its worst showing in the history of Kerala politics.
The secretariat meet zeroed in on the row over Sabarimala women's entry as the factor that led to a steep decline in the number of LDF votes. Even families that owe allegiance to the party backed away.
The Christian community was also swayed after rumours that the government would implement the Church Act. Though the government clarified there was no such move, the meet pointed out that it was not able to fully remove the misconception.
The Muslims were also apprehensive over speculations that the government and the CPM would try to bring in reforms in the community. Certain sections deliberately tried to create a propaganda that women's entry at mosques was the ruling front's next agenda, the CPM suspected. Social media platforms were used to spread such rumours, creating distrust among them, the meet noted.
The LDF government’s attempts to implement the Supreme Court 2018 verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala triggered various kinds of reactions and interpretations. However, the ruling front failed to address or counter such misgivings, it was pointed out.
During the meeting, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan explained the government's duty over Sabarimala and the political crisis created by it. The meet also pointed out that there was a perception that the government was adamant on implementing the Sabarimala order and this caused distrust among the faithful. The CM too did not contest these points.
On a self-introspection mode, the leadership admitted the loss of votes even of party members and supporters in CPM bastions, leading to the massive defeat. Though even in 2014, there were one-off instances of members of party or CPM-backed outfits going against the Left, this became a general trend this year.
The party was not able to anticipate the people’s concern about voting for the Left that has lost its sheen nationally. Nor was the party able to change the campaign mode to address the people's misgivings, it was noted.
The tendency to raise political ideas that do not strike a chord with the people and circulating them on social media also came under the scanner post the debacle. The party has been given a rude awakening call not to remain in this self-created bubble of righteousness.
CPM bet was on five seats, but got just one
The LDF was confident of winning at least five seats even in the worst of circumstances. However, this calculation was proved wrong as the results came out. The secretariat meet admitted that the party did not foresee such a poll debacle.
Though the party had claimed victory in 18 seats even after the voting, it was actually pinning its hopes on 10-11 seats. But it had to be contented with just Alappuzha seat.
A grassroot-level introspection is needed on why the calculations went wrong in the first place. Further action would be taken based on the poll analysis report to be approved by the state committee that would meet on May 31-June 1.
