'Paid heavy price for CM's arrogance; minority appeasement backfired'; CPI begins to assess election debacle

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: LDF ally CPI on Sunday blamed CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s arrogance for the LS poll debacle. The criticism was raised in the Thiruvananthapuram District Council meeting.

From the meeting:

The minority appeasement went overboard. Most of the political analysis meetings and civic meetings turned into religious gatherings. Religious leaders were given undue importance. Even the Rajya Sabha candidate was determined based on being a minority. The extravagance of the Navakerala Sadas and the suspension of the welfare pension added to the worries. The debt-ridden Supplyco battered common man's hope during festival seasons. The CM’s daughter being dragged into a controversy at a time when the elections were near also dampened the hopes of victory. All these factors compounded to anti-incumbency feelings among voters.

The meeting also reviewed the performance of ministers, which many termed below satisfactory.

CPI's criticism came on Sunday, the same day CPM state leadership started a five-day meeting to evaluate the performance and the major setbacks received during the LS polls. The state secretariat will meet today and tomorrow. The state committee will meet on 18, 19 and 20.

The CPM leadership has warned party leaders and cadres to not fall under the evil influence of corruption, money-making and capitalistic spirit. Party state secretary MV Govindan assured about conducting a cleansing act to sweep aside the vices and capitalist influence within the cadres.

CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam asked the cadres to leave behind the complacent nature and rectify the election mistakes.