CPI(M), Left front launch exercise to identify shortcomings; Pinarayi Vijayan likely to be Opposition leader in Kerala Assembly

An LDF leader said there was no premise that minority consolidation against the LDF drove the results; rather, the alliance’s failure to gauge grassroots sentiment appeared more likely to explain the setback.

Some leaders said Polit Bureau member and caretaker Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would be the Opposition Leader in the Kerala Assembly, given the current political situation and the alliance’s weak strength. A comment noted the existence of a three-member BJP bloc.

Constituents of the Left Democratic Front gathered in Thiruvananthapuram resolved to conduct a micro-level assessment of why the front performed poorly. LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan said all units would conduct detailed assessments before June 15, and a meeting by the end of June would gauge public opinion and guide decisions, listening to people inside and outside the LDF. The LDF also stated there was no view that minority consolidation was responsible for the setback.

Some party workers and sympathisers demanded immediate organisational changes on social media and through posters, but leaders indicated that any change would be undertaken only after the self-examination.

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby said the party would analyse the defeat threadbare to make necessary corrections. Party forums at various levels will listen to their immediate lower units as part of a self-critical process.

The CPI(M) State secretariat held a preliminary stock-taking of the Left front’s electoral drubbing and resolved to meet again on May 12, followed by a State committee meeting on May 13 and 14 to identify root causes.