Thiruvananthapuram: Amid heated debates within the LDF camp following the setback in the Lok Sabha elections, the CPM State committee has identified seven key factors that resulted in the defeat of Left parties.

1. Kerala's electoral landscape primarily pits LDF against UDF. However, the desire for a change in the Central Government has led voters to support the Congress.

On Thursday, CPM state secretary M V Govindan stated that in Kerala, particularly among minorities, there exists a widespread belief that the Congress is more inclined than the CPM to establish and lead a national government. This perception, according to him, has been detrimental to the CPM's electoral prospects.
   
2. UDF's alliance with communal entities like Jamaat-e-Islami, Popular Front and SDPI yielded short-term gains, but the same will have long-term implications.

"The unity of the League, Congress, Jamaat-e-Islami, Popular Front, and SDPI played a significant role in our defeat. Despite contesting against each other in other elections, their votes combined to form a united front against the Left," Govindan said. 
   
3. Different caste groups and political movements had fallen to communal forces under RSS influence. These sections were exploited by the Sangh Parivar.
   
4. SNDP factional support for BJP diverted votes of LDF.
   
5. BJP's appeal among Christians, influenced by bishops' engagements in Thrissur, cost LDF crucial votes. Congress also lost a large share of its Christian votes to BJP. 

"The Christian community in Kerala has always stood against the communal agenda. However, it is true that in this election a section of them has shifted towards the BJP due to various reasons, including threats. In some places, even bishops were involved personally," Govindan said.
   
6. Suspension of government welfare measures like pensions and other benefits due to Central policies distanced voters from the party.
   
7. The media campaigns significantly shaped public opinion.

On Thursday, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said that the CPM suffered a major defeat as they failed to understand the people's sentiments. LDF secured one seat out of the 20 seats up for grabs in the state.

"The Left has failed to understand the people's sentiments. The disruption of welfare pensions and the pending DA arrears for government employees have also worked against us," MV Govindan said.