CPM review links Pinarayi-centric campaign, Yogi's Ayyappa event message to Kerala poll loss

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] has released its Central Committee report analysing the reasons behind the party's heavy defeat in the Kerala Assembly elections, attributing the setback to flaws in candidate selection, anti-incumbency, weak political messaging and organisational shortcomings.

The report also says allegations of corruption, arrogance and lavish lifestyles among some leaders damaged the party's public image. It further admits that the election campaign became excessively centred on Pinarayi Vijayan, allowing the Opposition to focus its attacks on him.

The report describes the election defeat as a major blow, noting that the party has lost power in every state for the first time since 1977, a serious setback given the BJP's increasing dominance.

The document lists a series of administrative and organisational failures that it believes contributed to the defeat.

Campaign became overly focused on Pinarayi Vijayan

The report says the perception that the entire campaign revolved around one individual proved politically damaging. While the campaign highlighted Chief Minister and Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan's administrative record, the excessive focus on his leadership inadvertently enabled the United Democratic Front (UDF) to mount a targeted campaign against him.

As a result, the party failed to politically expose what it described as the Congress-led UDF's regressive character and pro-ruling class stand.

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Development narrative overshadowed political messaging

According to the report, the campaign's emphasis on development and welfare schemes, without adequately highlighting political and ideological issues, was ineffective.

It says development and welfare policies should have been combined with a stronger political campaign against neoliberal, corporate and communal policies, warning that public support cannot be sustained without such ideological engagement.

Failure to highlight Centre's policies

The report also acknowledges that the party did not sufficiently campaign against what it described as the BJP-led Union government's discriminatory approach towards Kerala and its attacks on federal rights.

It further admits that the CPM failed to effectively counter the Congress campaign, alleging that the party had entered into a secret understanding with the BJP. According to the report, sections of the Christian minority community were misled by this narrative, resulting in a section of minority voters moving away from the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Ayyappa event controversy hurt secular image

The report says the controversy surrounding the Global Ayyappa Sangamam could have been avoided.

It criticises the decision to read out a message from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the event, saying it damaged the party's secular credentials. Although the Travancore Devaswom Board organised the programme, the report questions why a message was sought from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and why it was read out by a minister who is also a member of the CPM state secretariat.

According to the report, the incident created the impression that the party was adopting a soft approach towards Hindutva forces, which adversely affected its electoral prospects.

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Response to communal issues found inadequate

The report also acknowledges shortcomings in the party's response to anti-Muslim remarks made by SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan.

Although the state secretariat had issued a statement condemning the remarks, the review says the response was not sufficiently strong. It also notes that statements made by some party leaders during the controversy further distanced sections of the public and fuelled the perception that the CPM was compromising in its fight against communalism.

PM SHRI scheme controversy aided Opposition

The Central Committee also points to the handling of the PM SHRI school scheme as another political misstep.

It says the CPI raised concerns over the scheme just before the election was announced, enabling the UDF to reinforce allegations of a covert understanding between the CPM and the BJP.

The report admits there was a failure to hold proper consultations and reach a coordinated decision within the LDF, stressing that all coalition partners should have been taken into confidence on such issues.

Public remarks by leaders drew criticism

The report urges party leaders to exercise greater caution while speaking at public meetings and interacting with the media.

It warns that public statements are routinely recorded, circulated and can be distorted or misused to damage the party's image. It also says certain remarks made by senior leaders could have been avoided.

Governance issues and local factors contributed

The report further attributes the defeat to public dissatisfaction over the functioning of the police and bureaucracy, as well as the perceived inaccessibility of some ministers.

It also lists unresolved issues, including delays in KSRTC pension payments, arrears in welfare pensions, the crisis in traditional industries, increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict and problems in the cooperative sector.

The report says the party's failure to take prompt disciplinary action following the arrest of A. Padmakumar, a Pathanamthitta district committee member and former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, also damaged its credibility.

It also acknowledges mistakes in candidate selection, particularly in Kannur district. The victories of rebel candidates in traditional CPM strongholds such as Thaliparamba, Payyanur and Ambalappuzha are described as a major blow to the party.