Welfare pension, SFI, anti-incumbency sentiment and leakage in Nair, Ezhava votes: CPM State Committee accesses reasons for loss in election

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state committee assessed that anti-incumbency sentiment was reflected in the Lok Sabha elections and there was a split in the traditional vote the party was getting. There was a huge leakage in Ezhava votes. Ezhava votes went to BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Kottayam, Thrissur and Alappuzha. There was leakage of Nair votes and other Hindu votes which were received in previous elections. The members pointed out in the meeting that major reforms will be needed to solve this and the party should start efforts for this.

In the wake of the defeat, radical reforms are needed in the government and the party. The anti-incumbency sentiment was reflected in the elections. The party should not hesitate to admit this. Election defeat should not be taken lightly. Failure should be checked at the leadership and subordinate levels. Correction of wrongdoing should not be limited to the grassroots level but should also be at the leadership level. A backlash is sure if the upcoming local elections are not taken seriously. Party state secretary MV Govindan presented the state secretariat's report on the election results to the state committee. Many of the members expressed their opinions in the discussion on this.

Information about the controversial meeting between Left Front convener EP Jayarajan and BJP Kerala Prabhari Prakash Javadekar has had a detrimental effect on the election. Jayarajan is constantly getting involved in controversies. The party leadership is unable to take appropriate action. The state committee also criticized that the Jayarajan-Javadekar relationship was discussed among the voters. The government should also be ready to make corrections.

Arrears of welfare pension affected the election. At least three months' arrears should have been paid. Publicizing financial vulnerability and non-payment by the central government did not win the party the support it hoped for.

SFI implicated in the death of college student Siddharth. The functioning of SFI on campuses should be subjected to serious scrutiny. Youngers are starting to hate the student organisation.

BJP's growth is serious

The growth of BJP should not be taken lightly. Their vote percentage in Alappuzha, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram is shocking. The minorities have taken a stand to help the UDF as in the last Lok Sabha elections. Not only did the CAA campaign not achieve the intended results, but it also benefited the UDF. Care should be taken while taking up such matters in future. The elections showed that the minorities are not averse to voting for the BJP. This does not bode well for the party and the Left Front.

It is the weakness of the government that it cannot start big projects. The LIFE housing project is stalled at many places. The involvement of party workers on social media has turned out to be more harm than good. The leaders also criticized that this was clear from Vadakara and Alappuzha. The CPM state committee will continue tomorrow as well.