'Who else but LDF?' campaign backfires as voters respond differently

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF’s campaign slogans from previous elections are still widely remembered. In the 2016 elections, when Pinarayi Vijayan contested as the Chief Minister candidate after stepping down as party secretary, the slogan was 'LDF varum, ellam sariyakum' (LDF will come, everything will be fine). In 2021, during Kerala’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, the campaign slogan was 'Urappanu LDF' (Yes, it is LDF for sure). Backed by strong public support, the LDF won 99 seats and returned to power under Pinarayi Vijayan, also ending the BJP’s account in Nemom.

This time, the LDF entered the election convinced that there was no strong anti-incumbency sentiment. The campaign was branded as 'Pinarayi 3.0,' with the slogan 'Mattarund LDF allathe?' (Who else but LDF?). Posters and flex boards across the state prominently featured the Chief Minister’s face. However, voters appear to have responded differently at polling booths, with many seemingly asking themselves who else could be chosen instead of the LDF.

During the campaign in Konni, when a member of the public tried to ask a question during the Chief Minister’s speech, he responded sharply, asking the person to “go home and ask.” This incident, along with others, appears to have contributed to voter anger, with the electorate delivering a strong verdict against the LDF.

Even traditional party strongholds in Kannur, such as Payyannur and Taliparamba, have not been entirely safe for the LDF this time. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan managed to take the lead in his Dharmadom constituency only after trailing for six rounds, and his current lead remains around 3,000 votes. As many as 14 ministers are heading towards defeat. The Kerala Congress (M), an LDF ally, has failed to open its account this time.

Meanwhile, parties like the RSP and Kerala Congress, which had suffered setbacks earlier under the UDF, have improved their performance. The RSP, in particular, is seen as making a comeback.

In Vadakara, a traditional Left stronghold, voters have once again elected K.K. Rema on the day of T.P. Chandrasekharan’s remembrance. Several constituencies that the LDF had expected to win have turned into close contests, creating uncertainty for the Left.

In Kollam district, the CPM has faced major setbacks, at one point trailing behind its ally CPI. Even Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar is heading towards defeat. In Thiruvananthapuram, where Antony Raju had won earlier, the contest this time is mainly between UDF’s C.P. John and BJP’s Karamana Jayan.

The results suggest that voters have been moving away from the Left, a movement that was built on strong grassroots support. Instead, many seem to be shifting their support to the UDF, which appears to have emerged as their new political choice.