Analyzing its defeat within the latest Kerala meeting elections, the CPI(M) has revealed that the social gathering paid a heavy worth for not strongly opposing the anti-Muslim remarks of Ezhava Get together chief Velappally Natesan and for studying out Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s message eventually 12 months’s World Ayyappan Devotees Convention.
The CPI(M) state committee authorized the election overview after unprecedented deliberations amongst its executives over the previous month, throughout which employees had been inspired to talk freely with out worry.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, state social gathering secretary MV Govindan mentioned the outcomes supplied a “clear lesson that the social gathering ought to transfer ahead by strengthening its long-term prospects”.
Natesan, common secretary of SNDP Yogam, a company of the Hindu Ezhava group, is alleged to have repeatedly made anti-Muslim statements that CPI(M) leaders didn’t publicly problem. The social gathering’s mushy method in the direction of Natesan, whose son Tushar is the president of Bharatiya Janata Get together ally BDJS, is seen as a part of the Left’s try and consolidate Hindu votes forward of the elections.
Govindan mentioned the CPI(M) rejected Natesan’s assertion in opposition to the Muslim group. “Nevertheless, there was a notion that his statements weren’t strongly challenged. There was an absence of robust intervention amongst minorities to dispel this notion,” he mentioned.
The social gathering additionally admitted that the World Ayyappa Devotees Convention held in September 2025 – seen as one other try and woo Hindu voters – backfired after CM Adityanath’s message was learn out on the occasion. “Ayyappa Sangamam was organized by the Devaswam Board. However the marketing campaign that it was organized by the federal government created confusion amongst folks. Studying out the message of Mr. Adityanath, a outstanding RSS chief, was inappropriate,” Govindan mentioned.
Regardless of a large marketing campaign highlighting the achievements and improvement initiatives of the CPI(M)-led LDF authorities, the social gathering’s polls discovered shortcomings in that regard as effectively. “On the grassroots stage, there was a robust impression that the federal government had failed to handle points affecting conventional labor sectors reminiscent of coir, cashews, development and handlooms. The ensuing dissatisfaction had a unfavourable influence on the social gathering’s electoral prospects,” Govindan mentioned.
Sabarimala gold coin theft case
Whereas the Natesan-Adityanath issue is seen as alienating minority voters, the CPI(M) additionally admitted that it’s dealing with a backlash from the Hindu trustworthy over the Sabarimala gold theft scandal. Senior CPI(M) chief and former MLA A. Padmakumar was arrested within the incident, which broke out throughout his tenure as chairman of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala temple.
“The social gathering has held Padmakumar to account and eliminated him from all social gathering posts. Nevertheless, the rival’s marketing campaign that the social gathering didn’t take strict motion at first of the scandal has affected our outlook,” Govindan mentioned.
“BJP-UDF Nexus”
The CPI(M) additionally claimed that the BJP had transferred votes in 30 seats to the Congress-led United Democratic Entrance (UDF), with out specifying the seats. “In 30 constituencies, the BJP votes shifted to the UDF, whereas in some constituencies, the UDF votes shifted to the BJP. Out of the three seats gained by the BJP, the UDF completed third,” Govindan mentioned.
He additionally admitted that errors had been made in deciding on candidates in Payannur and Thaliparamba states, the place the Congress-backed CPI(M) rebels had gained. In Taliparamba, Govindan’s spouse PK Shyamala was the CPI(M) candidate. Nevertheless, the duty for choice was positioned with the Kannur District Committee and never with the state management. “In Taliparamba, the district committee chosen a candidate however self-critically assessed that it was the fallacious selection,” he mentioned.
