Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM has decided not to use the ‘Thrikkakara model’ campaign for the by-elections scheduled for November 13 in the state. Although ministers will actively participate in the campaign, the party has opted not to deploy all ministers as they did in Thrikkakara, which resulted in a humiliating defeat. The party had rightly evaluated that the extensive campaign strategy employed then did not yield the desired result. 

As the by-election days heat up, CPM state secretariat has decided to launch targeted campaign by exploiting the possibilities prevailing in each constituency, where the election is being held. This approach aims to counter claims that the by-elections will serve as a referendum on the government.

The Thrikkakara by-election, held in May 2022, involved ministers and state leaders visiting various wards within the Kochi corporation and municipality. However, the subsequent loss was interpreted as a setback for both the party and the government.

Several contentious issues—such as the ADGP-RSS leaders' meeting, disruptions during the Thrissur ‘pooram’, Sabarimala and the death of Kannur ADM Naveen Babu—are expected to arise during this by-election. To make things worse for the CPM, in all these matters, the government and the party find themselves on the backfoot, struggling even to convince their own party members.  Nevertheless, they intend to confront these allegations politically using all available resources.

CPM state secretary MV Govindan has said that the results of this by-election will not reflect the performance of the state government. The party plans to conduct conventions in each constituency this week and will begin campaigning shortly. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will participate in election programmes in select areas. Minister MB Rajesh will focus on the Palakkad constituency, while former minister K Radhakrishnan MP will coordinate activities in Chelakkara. Ministers KN Balagopal, P Rajeeve and members of the state secretariat will also take part in electron programmes in all three constituencies.