'PSC, KSRTC, govt employees and more'; Reasons behind LDF's embarrassing defeat in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state leadership had high hopes of winning at least five major seats in Kerala, which included Attingal, Vadakara, Mavelikkara, Palakkad and Kannur. All hopes were dashed and the revolutionary party was restricted to just one seat in the congress wave that swept the state.

As per reports, even core party votes have got split which made CPM go behind in 18 constituencies by a big margin. This also includes constituencies represented by 8 CPM ministers. CPI and Kerala Congress-M members have already blamed the anti-incumbency factor and the poor candidate selection for the dismal performance.

Sceptics have also used social media to roll out the reasons for the trouncing CPM received in the elections. Stalling of salary and pension in KSRTC, wrath of PSC students, dissatisfaction among government employees and the deteriorating standards of government hospitals are cited to be a few factors that have distanced the voters from CPM.

LDF getting just one seat in 2019 was no surprise considering the unprecedented protest following the Sabarimala controversy. The same is not applicable in 2024 where the party had all the essentials to put up a good fight. With local elections coming up in December next year and assembly elections in May 2026, significant reforms at the party and governance levels are essential.

Back in the times, K R Gowri Amma and V S Achuthanandan were reprimanded by the party for their alleged personality cult. But the same party is now singing paeans of the present leadership despite big criticism even within the party citing personality cult.