Lok Sabha election verdict: CPM warns Kerala govt not to jeopardise welfare of commoners

Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which leads the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, has suggested a slew of measures for course correction in the wake of the Front’s Lok Sabha election debacle.

According to the CPM, welfare pensions must be distributed every month without interruption. Benefits for Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, traditional workers, and those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes should not be in arrears. The party also highlighted that arrears of benefits, including those of government employees, should be disbursed in a timely manner.

Since the actions aimed at the party’s transformation were already announced by the Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly, there were no significant criticisms in the state committee meeting.

The party assessed that the alienation of the basic sections of the population was a major factor in the Front’s severe defeat. It noted that 30 per cent of the population at the grassroots level are the strength of the Left. No benefits to this group should be interrupted henceforth. The recommendation is to provide welfare pensions without fail every month and to clear arrears before the local body elections approach.

Other highlights of the meeting

The party's work in urban areas needs to be improved. Campaign methods and activities should be tailored to meet urban sentiments. CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan alleged that there is a media network here that is not hesitant to blame the CPM and the Chief Minister for anything. To counter this, campaigns through new media will be strengthened.

Activities that are free of complaints, avoid controversies, and do not create disdain among the people should be undertaken through student and youth organisations. This is also based on the evaluation that the allegations against the SFI contributed to the election defeat.

Local bodies and the government will announce people-backed sanitation work for waste management. This will be implemented by youth and student organisations and party workers.

It was decided that the campaign against the central government's stance should not be limited to the election phase but should be taken up more intensely.