CPI(M) in Kerala to examine vote erosion

However, dismisses as baseless the propaganda that the outcome was a big setback to LDF

Admitting that LDF had failed to clinch as big a result it expected in Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls, coalition's lead partner CPI(M) today said it would thoroughly examine the causes for this, including erosion of votes in some of its strongholds.

Though minority consolidation arising out of the 'fear' that BJP-led by Narendra Modi was set to gain power at the Centre helped UDF in some constituencies, the party is not of the view that Christian and Muslim minorities had voted overwhelmingly for the UDF.

The party's state committee, which reviewed the election results in detail, however, concluded that minority polarisation was not a general trend across the state, as evident from the LDF victory in Christian-dominated seats like Idukki and Chalakkudi.

The party, however, dismissed as baseless the propaganda that the outcome was a big setback to LDF since the coalition could double its tally to eight from four in 2009. The impression being created that BJP had been able to increase its vote share sharply is also not correct.

Briefing reporters on the conclusion of the two-day meet today, party's state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said "the fear that Modi-led BJP is going to gain power at the Centre had been exploited by Congress and its UDF allies in some seats."

However, in constituencies like Idukki, wrested from UDF by the LDF-independent candidate, issues like the Western Ghats conservation report dominated and saw the minorities rallying behind the LDF, he said.

In the initial phases of the campaign, LDF was on a firm footing and there was no frenzied rallying of minorities in support of UDF as in some past elections. But as the campaign progressed, the situation changed to an extent with UDF succeeding in exploiting anxieties of the minorities, he said.

'Misleading' propaganda by a section of the media and the stand of some community outfits (of the Hindu fold) for pecuniary benefits also helped UDF.

Vijayan said the party would examine in detail whether there had been erosion of LDF votes, especially in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Vatakara.

Asked about reports that CPI(M) politbureau member M A Baby was keen to resign as MLA owning moral responsibility for his defeat in Kollam seat, Vijayan said the party was of the view that his resignation was not required.

On the use of certain adverse expressions by him against RSP candidate N K Premachandran in Kollam, sparking widespread criticism, Vijayan said he had only used an expression which the person concerned deserved.

RSP left LDF on the eve of the polls and joined UDF and Premachandran won Kollam seat by a comfortable margin.