Govindan faces criticism from locals over BJP making significant gains in CPM strongholds, around 2 lakh votes lost

KANNUR: The local CPM leadership is in a fix as they are unable to defend the criticism of the CPM cadres who are disappointed in the election drubbing. The local leadership is trying to persuade the critics, who have even posted voice clips in WhatsApp groups, by meeting them in person and contacting them over the phone.

Several of these posts from party groups and supporter groups have gone out, calling for an intervention from the leadership. The ranks are reacting fiercely while the leadership is preparing to deal with the party's setback with equanimity and examine the root causes of the problem.

Severe outrage in Taliparamba

There is strong criticism, right from his constituency, that MV Govindan has failed in his role as the party chief. Many say that Govindan, who is also the MLA of the constituency, is also responsible for K Sudhakaran getting a majority of 8,000 votes in the constituency.

The criticism coming from the activists is that the significant growth of the BJP and the leakage of party votes have created a dangerous situation. While the Chief Minister is ready to respectfully accept the mandate, the reaction of the party secretary to mitigate it by citing numbers is also criticized as worsening the crisis.

2.12 lakh votes lost

LDF lost 2.12 lakh votes in the district when numbers between the Lok Sabha from the previous assembly elections are compared. The figures show that these votes went to the BJP and the UDF. UDF gained an additional 1.54 lakh votes in the district and BJP has also got an extra 60200 votes. It is estimated that the CPM lost 50 to 100 votes in each booth in party strongholds.