Kerala Local Body Poll Debacle: CPM To Reach Out To People Directly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shaken by a major setback in the recent local body elections, the ruling CPM in Kerala has decided to reach out directly to the public by visiting homes across the state to understand their expectations from the LDF Government and the party, make quick corrections, and prepare for the 2026 assembly polls.

After an in-depth review of the results during a two-day brainstorming session at the AKG Centre, the party’s state leadership concluded that urgent organisational changes are needed in several areas. With the crucial assembly elections just three months away, the LDF faces a tight timeline and several key tasks to rebuild its image.

At a media briefing after the two-day meeting, CPM Kerala state secretary M V Govindan admitted there had been widespread overconfidence in the party about winning the local body polls comfortably. Weaknesses in certain areas, especially in urban sectors, also played a role in the setback.

Significant lapses were seen in the functioning of the party’s local organisational machinery. Despite the loss, the leadership maintained a brave front. “Looking at the voting figures, we had a clear lead in 60 of the 140 assembly constituencies. This shows that if we can correctly identify the reasons for the defeat and take corrective action, we can make a strong comeback in the assembly polls,” Govindan said.

Despite the leadership’s claims, the results have clearly unsettled the Marxists. Compared to the 2020 local body polls, the CPM has suffered a significant setback across both urban and rural sectors. The LDF lost control of 174 grama panchayats, four district panchayats, four city corporations, and 15 municipalities this time.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his Cabinet colleagues and party leadership, had repeatedly insisted during the campaign that the local body poll verdict would serve as a stepping stone for a third CPM-led government in the state. In other words, they suggested it would act as a referendum on the LDF government’s performance.

The results show that the LDF failed to win over a significant section of voters. The CPM state secretary accused the Congress and the BJP of making secret deals in many areas. In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, where the BJP won 41 wards, the Congress-led UDF came in third. Similar trends were seen across the state, hinting at possible vote swapping, he alleged.

Govindan claimed the Congress and BJP ran an intense propaganda campaign against the CPM over the gold theft at Sabarimala temple, with communal undertones, aimed at distracting people from the LDF government’s welfare schemes and development projects.

“We have no fear regarding the Sabarimala issue. There’s no question of defending anyone who has done something wrong. Strict action will be taken according to the law against the wrongdoers. The people of Kerala know that the CPM will not take even a single penny from Sabarimala,” he said.

Political observers say that as the largest political force in Kerala, the CPM has the organizational strength, resources, and solid network to make a comeback. The real question, however, is whether the people of Kerala will give them a third chance or opt for change.