LDF's vote base intact, says M.V. Govindan
CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan has said that the Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s vote base in the Nilambur Assembly constituency remains intact, despite the by-election loss.
He said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) received fewer votes compared to the previous election, contradicting claims of an upswing in public support for the Opposition.
'This is not a constituency where the LDF has historically been in a winning position. But we have still managed to retain our vote share,' he said, while addressing a press conference here on Monday.
He asserted that the Left entered the fray knowing the odds. 'Even though we lost, our performance shows that our political base is solid and growing. When P.V. Anvar contested as an Independent candidate in the past, the combined vote share was higher. This time, even without that political alliance, we still maintained strong numbers.'
Mr. Govindan also reiterated that the by-election did not reflect an anti-incumbency wave, as the Opposition failed to campaign effectively on such issues. 'If there had been genuine dissatisfaction with the State government, the UDF's vote count would have increased, and not decreased,' he argued.
Alleging that the UDF's victory could be attributed to the backing of minority communal organisations, the CPI(M) leader warned that both majoritarian and minoritarian communalism were being allegedly used by the Congress-led coalition as electoral tools. The 'rainbow alliance' of communal forces could have serious social consequences in a secular State like Kerala, he cautioned.
Shock treatment to LDF government: Antony
Describing the UDF win as a 'shock treatment to the State government', senior Congress leader A.K. Antony said the change of regime has already begun, not in office, but in the hearts of the people.
'This is no ordinary win. Nilambur is a constituency where the LDF had won twice in a row. This result reflects the strong wave of anti-incumbency sweeping across the State, ' he said.
Labelling the current LDF administration as merely a caretaker government, he added: 'technically, the Pinarayi Vijayan may remain in office, but politically and morally, the people have withdrawn their support.'
Echoing Mr. Antony's sentiment, former Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala remarked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan no longer holds the moral right to continue remain in power.
'This government has been reduced to a caretaker Cabinet. The people have clearly and completely rejected it,' he told mediapersons.
Calling the by-election a 'semi-final' to the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, Mr. Chennithala said the UDF had emerged victorious in this crucial prelude, and is now confidently heading toward a win in the 'finals.'
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