Left’s great fall: From 99 to 35 as Kerala rejects LDF

KOZHIKODE: The people have spoken, and the message is clear: "Get out." The Left Democratic Front (LDF), which commanded a staggering 99 seats in 2021, has seen its tally plummet to a mere 35. This electoral freefall is being viewed as a direct public indictment of the CPI(M) and its leadership.

The election results reflect a deep-seated public resentment toward the operational styles of both the party and the government. It signals the potential end of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s long-standing dominance. This is the public’s response to the Chief Minister’s perceived arrogance, the Party Secretary’s decision to field his own wife as a candidate, and the expulsion of a leader who dared to expose the embezzlement of funds meant for party martyrs. Few anticipated that the backlash would be this severe.

Crumbling of strongholds

The massive losses in Kannur and Kozhikode—districts long considered impenetrable fortresses that would stand by the party in any crisis—are expected to ignite a political rebellion within the CPI(M). Serious questions are now being raised against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Party Secretary M.V. Govindan, who spearheaded the campaign.

The shock is palpable in Dharmadam, where Pinarayi Vijayan, who previously held a majority of over 50,000 votes, found himself trailing as late as the sixth round of counting.

Style that backfired

A series of controversies proved to be the front’s undoing. Key factors that eroded public support include:

• Sabarimala Scandal: The refusal to oust party leaders allegedly involved in the Sabarimala scam.
• Neglect towards Asha Workers: The harsh and indifferent treatment towards the Asha workers' protests.
• Exodus of Veterans: The departure of nearly half a dozen prominent leaders, including G. Sudhakaran, T.K. Govindan, P.K. Kunhikrishnan, and Aisha Potty, severely damaged the party’s image.

The Chief Minister’s aggressive rhetoric further alienated the public. Controversial remarks like "Go ask at your home," "Dash-mone Revanth," and "Liar Satheesan" were met with contempt by both the general public and party cadres alike. Furthermore, the spectacle of the Chief Minister travelling in a flagged car escorted by a 40-vehicle convoy drew public ridicule.

In his second term, Pinarayi Vijayan sidelined competent ministers from the previous cabinet, opting instead for personal favourites. This led to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) becoming a centralised hub of power, resulting in the lacklustre performance of various departments.

Was it sabotage by "Kannur Lobby"?

Allegations are surfacing that the "Kannur Lobby" may have dealt a fatal blow to the state government and the party. Apart from Pinarayi Vijayan and K.K. Shailaja, no prominent leaders from Kannur were in the fray this time.

Speculation is rife that veteran leaders who were sidelined—including the "three Jayarajans" who were absent from the candidate list—may have worked behind the scenes to undermine the front. This internal friction is blamed for the LDF’s tally in the region shrinking from nine seats to five. Additionally, the decision to shift K.K. Shailaja from her winning seat to Peravoor is now being viewed as a significant strategic blunder.