CPI(M) Leader Lists Party Lapses That Led to Kerala Poll Defeat

CPI(M) central committee member and State secretariat member Puthalath Dinesan has acknowledged that the party made several mistakes during the Kerala Assembly election campaign, which contributed to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) losing power after a decade. In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Dinesan listed candidate selection errors, slow response to the Sabarimala gold loss controversy, and failure to counter the United Democratic Front (UDF) campaign as key shortcomings.

Dinesan specifically mentioned that decisions taken by the party leadership regarding candidate selection in the Payyannur and Taliparamba constituencies “did not prove beneficial.” He also admitted that the party failed to act urgently in the Sabarimala gold plate controversy involving former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A. Padmakumar. “Though there were limitations in taking action while Mr. Padmakumar was in jail, not acting considering the urgency of the issue was a shortcoming,” he wrote.

Referring to another Sabarimala-related issue, Dinesan said there was “nothing wrong” with the TDB organising the Ayyappa Sangamam. However, he noted that the UDF and right-wing media projected it as a government programme, influencing public opinion. He also criticised the reading of a message from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the event, calling it “not appropriate.”

The CPI(M) leader pointed out that six individuals who had worked in different capacities within the party contested against the LDF, creating a negative impression among the public. He stressed the need to ensure that parliamentary ambitions do not influence party workers.

Dinesan also acknowledged that the party’s response to anti-Muslim remarks made by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan in Malappuram “lacked the required clarity.” He said that while the party made its disagreement clear, it should have issued a more explicit and critical response, giving opponents an opportunity to spread misleading propaganda.

The leader further admitted that the party failed to effectively publicise the vision outlined in its election manifesto and that the LDF’s election slogan did not resonate with voters as in previous elections. He said the party was unable to effectively counter what it termed the UDF’s false propaganda during the campaign, while certain statements made during the election period proved counterproductive.

“There were shortcomings in understanding the public mood, and weaknesses in taking the party closer to the people,” Dinesan stated.

He said the expanded State committee meeting aims to strengthen the party organisation, rectify the shortcomings identified in the election review, and prepare an action plan after discussions at different levels of the party. Expressing confidence that the CPI(M) would overcome the setback through self-correction, Dinesan said the party views elections as part of the broader class struggle.

The CPI(M)-led LDF won only 35 of the 140 Assembly seats in the election, after being in power for the previous 10 years. The party has since held reviews of the electoral defeat at various levels.