THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that anti- incumbency trend has decided fate of political parties in the state assembly elections particularly in north India. The chief minister felt that BJP’s strength had come down compared to 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP cannot claim the Uttar Pradesh victory as a big achievement. “Whether the BJP could manage to do well to the extent of Lok Sabha elections needs to be examined,” he said elections should be examined," he said.
Veteran CPM leader V.S. Achuthanandan said the results of assembly elections in five states pointed to the strengthening of Narendra Modi government’s authoritarian and fascist policies. He said the results posed a major threat to the nation. The unity of Left, secular and democratic forces is the need of the hour. According to him the BJP had managed to win major victory because of the deep divisions in secular votes and the manner in which Sangh Parivar used the communal card conveniently at different levels. The internal bickering in secular parties and sharp differences in their ranks, led to division of votes ultimately favouring the BJP.
Mr Achuthanandan said the victory could not be seen as acceptance of Narendra Modi Government’s anti people policies. With this victory the BJP is set to get an upper hand in Rajaya Sabha. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that Samajwadi Party suffered huge electoral setback because of its alliance with the Congress. He said the BJP had polarised people on religious lines. BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan said the victory in Uttar Pradesh was a befitting reply to the false propaganda against his party. It is a warning against those who are dividing people on religious lines. The CPM, which had unleashed a propaganda against demonetisation, should change its stand at least now.
