Kerala local body polls: CPM projects Pandalam win to counter Sabarimala gold row backlash narrative

The ruling CPM in Kerala has stepped up its political defence, projecting the LDF’s victory in Pandalam municipality to counter claims that the Sabarimala gold theft case has hurt the Front electorally.

After reviewing the local body election outcome, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the LDF secured victories both in the ward covering Sabarimala and in Perunad panchayat in Pathanamthitta district. The party is projecting these results as evidence that the controversy did not translate into electoral losses.

The CPM is also pointing to the LDF’s strong performance in Guruvayur and Kodungallur to argue that Sabarimala gold row did not affect politically. Govindan said the campaign around Sabarimala may have misled sections of the public, but failed to deliver the gains the Opposition had expected.

Asked whether the party had suffered a loss in votes, Govindan said the media was free to interpret the results in its own way.

Claims of money power and polarisation

In its assessment of the election, the CPM alleged growing use of money power, claiming that purchasing votes with cash was on the rise. Govindan said the BJP’s Hindutva-based communal politics and, under the leadership of the Muslim League, minority communalism involving the SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami were being used to create anti-Communist sentiment.

He also said events in Mattathur showed there were no barriers preventing any Congress worker from joining the BJP at any time.

Swipe at media over Sabarimala case

Responding to questions on why no disciplinary action taken against leaders arrested in the Sabarimala gold case, Govindan asked whether the media would not have carried headlines such as ‘Party action against gold smuggling’, suggesting an attempt to project the party in a negative light. He remarked that the media did not get an opportunity to build a campaign around the issue.

Party action after chargesheet, says Govindan

When asked whether the party’s stand created an impression that it was protecting those involved in gold heist, Govindan asked whether that was not already the prevailing narrative. He said it would be possible to determine whether the two arrested leaders had any link to the Sabarimala gold theft case, or whether there had been any serious lapse, only after the chargesheet was filed. The party would act only after such legal clarity emerged, he added.