Kochi, 16 June (H.S.) : In a rare and candid assessment of the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) Assembly election defeat, senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala minister P. Rajeeve has acknowledged that the coalition’s campaign slogan, “Who Else But LDF?”, proved counterproductive and contributed to the alliance’s electoral setback.

Speaking at an EMS Namboodiripad remembrance programme in Malappuram, Rajeeve said the CPI(M) had internally assessed that the slogan created an unintended perception among voters and failed to resonate with the public. Instead of strengthening support for the LDF, the slogan generated a different understanding among the electorate and ultimately worked against the coalition during the campaign, he said.

Rajeeve noted that the party had believed its record in governance and development would help it overcome electoral challenges without major difficulties. However, the election results demonstrated that such assumptions were misplaced and that the party needed a deeper understanding of changing public sentiments and political realities.

The former minister stressed that mass and class organisations associated with the party must function independently rather than merely existing as a principle in party documents. He said political movements could no longer rely on repeating strategies of the past to address contemporary issues.

“Today’s challenges cannot be addressed through the methods of yesterday,” Rajeeve said, calling for new forms of political engagement and agitation. He urged the party to evolve in tune with changing social and political conditions, arguing that only a modern and adaptable organisation could successfully navigate the current crisis.

Rajeeve also admitted that the party had erred in its handling of certain controversies that emerged before the elections. Referring to the Vellappally Natesan issue, he said the CPI(M) had already concluded that it should have adopted a stronger stand much earlier. He further acknowledged that the party should have acted more decisively in the Sabarimala gold scam controversy instead of focusing on organisational and procedural considerations.

The party, he said, must develop a clearer framework for dealing with such issues in the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman