Alappuzha: The CPI(M)-LDF and Congress Muslim league led- UDF fronts are making a concerted effort to prevent major corruption issues, including the Sabarimala gold loot, from becoming central topics in the ongoing election discourse. At the same time, political narratives in Keralam are increasingly dominated by discussions surrounding the links of both fronts with organisations such as the PFI-backed SDPI and the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Welfare Party. Critics argue that both alliances are strategically engaging in mutual accusations over connections with religious extremist groups while diverting attention from pressing governance and corruption concerns.
Suppressed corruption allegations
A key issue expected to significantly impact the Left Front, particularly in local body elections, is the Sabarimala gold loot controversy. However, both the Left and the UDF are being accused of deliberately avoiding the subject in the Assembly election campaign. Questions have also been raised about why the UDF, despite gaining political momentum in local body elections, has not aggressively pursued the issue. It is widely alleged that the Congress fears alienating minority vote banks by raising sensitive matters. Several other controversies involving the CPI(M) and the Left government are also reportedly being sidelined. Among the most prominent is the CMRL corruption case, which gained attention following allegations that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter, Veena, received a monthly payment without rendering any services. It is claimed that an amount of Rs 1.73 crore was paid under questionable circumstances. Despite being seen as a potentially powerful political issue against the Left leadership, this matter has not received sustained attention in the campaign.
In addition, multiple corruption allegations, including gold smuggling, the AI camera project, K-Phone initiative, Life Mission project irregularities, and criticisms of the Home Department and policing system, are said to be deliberately kept out of the electoral narrative. Observers argue that these issues, which could have shaped public opinion significantly, are being overshadowed by politically convenient distractions.
Allegations of political understanding
There are also serious allegations suggesting a tacit understanding between the LDF and UDF. Critics claim that in return for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government (2016-26) not pursuing further action on corruption cases from the previous UDF regime (2011-16), the opposition has refrained from aggressively targeting the current government’s controversies.
Numerous cases from the tenure of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, including the solar scam, bar bribery scandal, and the Palarivattom bridge scam, have reportedly seen little to no follow-up action. Similarly, allegations such as the police recruitment fraud case linked to senior Congress leader amd then Home minister Ramesh Chennithala, and irregularities in land acquisition for the Haripad Medical College, have faded from political debate. Notably, the land acquisition issue was strongly raised by the Sastra Sahitya Parishad, yet it has not translated into sustained political pressure.
Further criticism is directed at sections of the media and the UDF, who are accused of setting an agenda that indirectly benefits the ruling Left by avoiding discussion on key governance failures. These include rising unemployment, the decline of the industrial sector, concerns over the quality of higher education, and the mounting state debt, which is estimated to have reached Rs 6 lakh crore under the current government. Another contentious issue is the alleged association of both fronts with organisations described as religious extremist groups, including the SDPI, Welfare Party, and the PDP party of Madani, who has been linked to the Bangalore blast case. It is claimed that the Welfare Party is aligned with the UDF, while the PDP has openly declared its support for the LDF.
The SDPI, widely described as the political face of the banned PFI, is said to be playing a strategic role across constituencies to defeat BJP. While it is reportedly supporting the UDF in constituencies such as Manjeswaram, Haripad, and Thalassery, it is backing the Left in several others. In previous elections, including the Lok Sabha polls and the Palakkad by-election, the SDPI’s support was largely with the UDF.
According to critics, the SDPI’s broader strategy is to secure its demands irrespective of which front comes to power. Allegations persist that both the LDF and UDF have entered into opportunistic arrangements with the organisation to gain short-term electoral advantages, raising concerns about the long-term implications for governance and political integrity in the state.
