THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the results of local body polls are out, which were considered as semi-finals to the assembly polls to be held within months, Kerala has witnessed the victory of ruling LDF. In the last four months, a flood of controversies which started with the gold smuggling case has put the government in a defenceless position.

The opposition also thought that these controversies will affect the LDF’s poll prospects. At the same time, the polls also mark the distinctions of the first election in Kerala in the midst of pandemic worries. The local body polls also provided ample opportunity to BJP to display their strength unlike the assembly and Lok Sabha polls. The vote counting which witnessed a triangular fight was also crucial for BJP’s state president. As the results from the last counting centre in the state have come out, let’s see how the local body polls will determine the future of three leaders who acted as the face of their respective parties.

Strength of CPM and Pinarayi will increase

Pinarayi Vijayan proceeded towards Cheif Minister’s post, after leading CPM at the helm for a decade and the LDF regime marked its inception with a thrilling victory. The Kerala model of covid 19 prevention which was based on surveillance, awareness and quarantine measures attracted even the attention of the world. In those days, when CPM dreamed for a continuous regime for the next five years, even the opposition feared about realising that dream. But Kerala has also witnessed throwing water on those dreams, in the last four to five months.

The days when the gold smuggling case and other related controversies came to light, the left government’s heart rate spiked. Combined with this, the events which happened in party secretary Kodiyeri’s family has further reduced the party’s popularity among the masses. The son of ruling party chief being implicated in drugs trafficking has even led the party to public media trials in the ensuing days.

However, the election results which are out on Wednesday gives great solace and comfort to the party. Now the leaders can comfort themselves claiming the poll results as a good certificate given by the people and the party’s foundation remain intact. It also gives them the impetus to counter the central probe agencies, under the garb of anti-communist propaganda. Even in the local body polls held in 2015, LDF has won 549 village panchayats out of 941.

This time as of now, LDF has secured 514 village panchayats. In 2015, when they secured only 90 block panchayats, this time it increased to 108. It also won 10 out of the 14 district panchayats in Kerala. 55 municipalities out of 86 and three oot of sic corporations have turned left this time.

The strength of left front’s advancement will be also reflected in the chief minister’s words in the days to come. The leader who never cared about media trials will become more powerful than before. The results would enable Pinarayi to further strengthen his position and silence the dissenting voices which erupted in the party over the government’s lapses and failures.

Is Chennithala enough? Will the face of opposition change?

This election has completly changed the pre-existing narrative of political parties to encash upon the anti-incumbency feelings of people. This is because when three equal forces contest in the elections, anti-incumbency votes will get divided among the opposition parties. This election also gave a clear message on who will lose and who will benefit from BJP’s rise in Kerala. Especially in Thiruvananthapuram corporation where UDF was confined to a mere 10 seats, there is nothing more humiliating than this for the right front to happen.

This election has pointed fingers to opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran. Even after having sky-touching opportunities to put the ruling dispensation under trouble, leadership would face severe backlash from party forums for their inability to utilise those opportunities. The party should find out the reasons for its failure. The Congress party which is popularly known for ‘factionalism’ and a multitude of opinions, is likely to have a major facelift ahead of assembly polls.

Although capital city lost, the chief can ensure his chair

This is the first local body election that BJP has faced since Surendran has taken over the reigns of party president. Even though he declared that BJP will take over Thiruvananthapuram corporation, it didn’t reflect in poll results. However, BJP has surely exhibited a better show compared to last local body polls and the improved performance of the party will put down the dissenting in party-opinions against the party chief for a while. In 2015, BJP earned a clear lead in 14 village panchayats, whereas, in 2020 it increased to 24.

They were able to seize power in Pandalam municipality apart from their strongholds in Palakkad. Even though they didn’t come to power in Thiruvananthapuram corporation, BJP was able to maintain their seats and in other panchayats, they have become the crucial decision-maker on who will rule them

The Finals

LDF is in a strong position after the semi-finals. In the remaining four months, anything could happen in the state. When the probe launched by central agencies has entered on its last phase, the election results have enabled left front to face the people once again on the development plank. Whereas for the opposition it is time to adopt revisionist measures. The better the measures are the stronger the party machinery would become.