BJP-UDF deal behind LDF defeat, claims CPM state secretary MV Govindan

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM State Secretary MV Govindan on Tuesday reiterated his allegation that an alleged ‘BJP-UDF deal’ was a key reason behind the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) defeat in the assembly elections.

He claimed that BJP votes were transferred to the UDF in around 30 constituencies and described the BJP’s victory in three seats as a matter of serious concern.

Addressing a press conference, Govindan said the CPM state committee had approved the review report presented by the state secretariat, which included extensive criticism and self-criticism regarding the election setback.

“The election defeat was unexpected. Even after the new government assumed office, the BJP-UDF deal continues,” he alleged. He further claimed that identity politics had been used to weaken the CPM and that the LDF failed to anticipate the extent of the electoral setback.

Govindan admitted that the party had not adequately addressed issues affecting traditional labour sectors and acknowledged shortcomings in candidate selection in constituencies such as Payyanur and Taliparamba.

Referring to remarks made by Vellappally Natesan, Govindan said the party had always rejected anti-Muslim statements but conceded that there was a perception among minorities that the CPM had not responded strongly enough to the controversial comments by the former SNDP Yogam General Secretary. He said the party’s intervention to remove such doubts among minority communities had been inadequate.

According to Govindan, the election review found that the LDF witnessed a decline in support across various sections of society, though no single community could be blamed entirely for the defeat.

He alleged that concerns among minorities regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were effectively used by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Jamaat-e-Islami and the Congress. He also accused them of spreading what he described as false propaganda that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was responsible for introducing the SIR process.

Govindan further alleged that the Muslim League attempted to create communal divisions by using religion during the election campaign and said such efforts were dangerous in a secular state like Kerala.

The CPM leader also pointed to broader political trends, saying right-wing influence had been growing globally and in India, and that Kerala could not remain insulated from those developments. He said unresolved issues in traditional sectors, including construction, had contributed to voter dissatisfaction.

Reiterating his BJP-UDF deal allegation, Govindan claimed that in 30 constituencies, BJP votes had benefited UDF candidates, while in some others, UDF supporters had voted for BJP candidates where the Congress alliance was not in a position to win.

He also questioned meetings allegedly held by Chief Minister VD Satheesan with representatives of the Adani Group and those associated with the NDA before the formation of the new government, alleging that the Congress leader had not clarified the purpose of those interactions.

Govindan further criticised the government’s handling of issues related to the PM SHRI scheme, university appointments and higher education policies, alleging that the Congress had failed to oppose what he termed the “saffronisation” of educational institutions.

Describing the BJP’s victory in three seats as highly significant, he cited comments made by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar after the election results, claiming they indicated that weakening the CPM and the Left was a key objective of the BJP’s campaign strategy.

Govindan concluded by alleging that the election was fought on a deliberate strategy of transferring votes between the BJP and Congress while simultaneously promoting a narrative of a CPM-BJP understanding.