The Parliament Election Review report submitted before CPM’s state committee and state secretariat meetings in Thiruvananthapuram has reportedly revealed some unpleasant truths.
Reports suggest that the use of unpleasant comments, terminologies, and phrases by certain leaders has deterred people from supporting the party. A section of the people feels that the party no longer considers their interests, marking a clear U-turn from its status as a “people’s party.” These developments have led to setbacks for the party.
General Secretary Sitaram Yechury reportedly said, while addressing the meeting, that the election results were disappointing, even though the election was of political significance.
According to reports, no names have been mentioned in the report, nor does it specify which comments and terminologies turned out to be counterproductive. However, it acknowledges that the alleged murder of Siddharth, a student of The College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pookode, has generated anti-CPM sentiment. The Congress-led United Democratic Front extensively utilized this incident as an election plank. The report is said to contain a warning about the undesirable tendencies on the part of SFI. A CBI inquiry is ongoing into Siddharth’s death, amidst widespread allegations implicating SFI leaders in the crime.
It also reportedly states that a fiscal crisis has adversely affected the functioning of the government. People’s sentiments turned against the government due to the inability to properly conduct welfare schemes. The failure to distribute benefits to pensioners and government employees has reflected in the voting.
Reports suggest that the review says the increase in the BJP’s vote share should be taken seriously. Community-wise, the voting pattern has changed. Statistics show that Ezhava votes have gone to the BJP to a great extent. This tendency is evident in Kozhikkode, Thrissur, Alappuzha, and Attingal. Christian votes were split, and the BJP got a good share. On the other hand, Islamic unity went in favour of UDF in most constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Thrissur district executive meeting of CPI blamed the performance of CPM leader M.K. Kannan as chairman of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Thrissur Constituency Committee as unsatisfactory. M K Kannan is a CPM state committee member and vice chairman of the State Government-controlled Kerala Bank. His image has been severely tarnished due to his alleged involvement in the infamous Rs 343 crore Karuvannur Bank scam. He has undergone interrogation in connection with this scam, which has eroded his grassroots support.. The committee alleges that the party (CPI) is responsible for allowing Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese a free hand despite his comments glorifying Union Minister Suresh Gopi during the peak of the election campaign.
The aforementioned points indicate that both CPM and CPI are facing challenging times in the post-election period. Observers believe that these challenges will continue to escalate in the days and months ahead.
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