'No vote for gold looters'; Anti-incumbency, Sabarimala sentiment shakes up CPM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The local body election gave a reality of the current trend in Kerala ahead of the assembly elections in 2026. CPM, dreaming of a third tenure in 2026, is left perplexed with the serious setback in the local body polls. The touted development works of the last ten years and the shrewd attacks on Congress did not translate into votes.

CPM rode on the election campaign by putting the sexual assault case against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil at the forefront, igniting a discussion on the matter. However, it should be understood that the people sided with the Congress clarification that it was a ruse by CPM to cover up their shenanigans in the Sabarimala temple. Whenever CPM touched Sabarimala, the result has been too hot to handle for the revolutionary party.

The Congress-BJP campaign, highlighting the common sentiment of Kerala irrespective of caste and religion surrounding Sabarimala, dealt a major blow to the CPM. The gold loot in Sabarimala had more than enough to do with CPM going behind in gram panchayats, municipalities, block panchayats and corporations. The CPM could not properly defend itself against the arrest of prominent leaders of the party and the former Devaswom Board President.

As per reports, even votes from party strongholds got leaked to Congress. CPM move to target Rahul Mamkootathil was a wise strategy, but the Congress' decision to expel Rahul from the party made the whole sentiment ricochet to UDF’s favour.

Although development works were enumerated and votes were sought, and welfare pensions were increased and distributed, the sentiments in Sabarimala trumped over everything else. The election result is a realisation for the CPM that no development work is above the sentiment of Sabarimala.