The CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which went into the local body elections with the declared aim of securing a third consecutive term in power, has suffered an unprecedented setback.
The CPM and the LDF were shaken even in their traditional strongholds. The BJP’s landslide victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the heavy reverses suffered by the LDF in its bastions of Kollam and Kozhikode have given the Left leadership much to reflect upon.
Although the CPM has historically managed to protect its strongholds even during periods of crisis, the party and the Front were severely dented in these local body elections. Even in areas where the party enjoyed firm organizational control, it faced significant defeats. The LDF, which entered the elections while in power in five out of the state’s six municipal corporations, managed to retain control of only one when the results were declared.
In the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which the CPM had governed with pride for nearly four decades, the BJP succeeded in hoisting its flag. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) captured more than twice the number of municipalities won by the LDF. While the Left Front had been in power in 113 out of 152 block panchayats in the previous elections, the UDF has overtaken it in terms of numbers this time.
Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan’s claim that the UDF would win more than half of the total gram panchayats has also proven to be accurate. The LDF has been able to secure power in fewer than 350 of the 941 Gram Panchayats across the state. In Kollam, long regarded as a red fort, Kozhikode, where the working class traditionally queued up to vote for the party, and even in strongholds like Kannur, the CPM suffered major reverses.
The local body election results indicate that neither the announcement of welfare schemes just ahead of the polls, nor the development initiatives implemented by the government, nor even a decade of Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership have delivered the expected electoral dividends for the LDF. If this trend continues into the Assembly elections, the CPM may be compelled to undertake serious policy and political course corrections.
At the same time, the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA have gained renewed confidence and momentum from the poll results. Pressure from resurgent rivals, along with the growing need for internal introspection, is likely to pose significant challenges for the LDF leadership in the days ahead.