Kerala civic poll setback: CPM, CPI admit lapses, vow corrective steps ahead of 2026 elections

Thiruvananthapuram: Major constituents of Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF)—the CPM and the CPI—on Monday signalled the possibility of recalibrating their political approach after their disappointing performance in the recently concluded civic body elections.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) emerged with a clear advantage in the local polls, while the BJP recorded notable gains, including a breakthrough victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, unseating the LDF.

Both Left parties convened high-level meetings in the state capital to analyse shortcomings in their campaign strategies and governance approach under the LDF administration.

The electoral setback has come as a major jolt for the ruling coalition, particularly with Assembly elections due in 2026, where the Left is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term since 2016.

LDF convener and CPM leader T P Ramakrishnan said the Front would carefully review the reasons behind the voter response.

"If there have been mistakes on our part, they will be corrected. Public opinion will be sought," he said.

Ramakrishnan also acknowledged the BJP’s electoral gains in the capital city.

"We accept this fact and will take corrective measures," he said.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam described the civic poll outcome as a defeat that required serious introspection by party units at all levels.

"The first phase of this process is the meetings being held on Monday. We will genuinely examine and identify flaws, if any, and move forward after correcting mistakes," he said.

Reaffirming confidence in the Left’s long-term prospects, Viswam asserted: "Kerala's future will be the LDF."

He noted that with limited time remaining before the Assembly polls, the corrective process would be undertaken without delay.

"The strength of the LDF lies in taking corrective measures. If mistakes have occurred, we will not hesitate to accept them or rectify them. This is a Communist value that the CPI, CPM and all LDF parties uphold," he said.

As part of the review exercise, the CPI has invited party workers and members of the public to submit written feedback highlighting concerns and proposing remedial steps.

CPI MP P Santhosh Kumar pointed to the alleged Sabarimala gold theft incident as a factor that adversely impacted the LDF’s electoral prospects.

"Certain developments facilitated such a campaign. From an electoral perspective, it is a fact that this helped the (Congress-led) UDF by creating an ideological crisis," he said.

While noting that the broader Sabarimala controversy did not intensify as it had during 2018–19, Kumar acknowledged that the recent incident had electoral repercussions.

"Even though we won the ward where Sabarimala is located, campaigns and songs linked to the incident raised questions in the public mind and likely affected the election outcome," Santhosh Kumar added.

PTI