Voters sent a clear message, CPI(M) refuses self-review: Ramesh Chennithala

Despite suffering a severe setback in the local body elections, the CPI(M) continues to insist that it has committed no mistakes and that the fault lies with the people, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said here on Tuesday, launching a sharp attack on the left leadership. He said the party’s refusal to introspect even after such a defeat should prompt the public to think seriously about its future, warning that more electoral reverses await the Left if the present approach continues.

“With such a Chief Minister and party secretary at the helm, one can imagine where the CPI(M) is heading,” he said, adding that there was no need for the Opposition to explain this to the people. “The public is already experiencing the consequences in their day-to-day lives,” he said.

He said the Left Democratic Front was voted out because ordinary people were reacting to the harsh realities they face in everyday life. “If the Left’s explanation is that people made a mistake and the government did nothing wrong, then all I can say is, God help them,” he remarked.

On KC(M)

On Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)], he said the party currently remains with the LDF and has not held any discussions with the UDF so far. Whether there would be talks or a realignment in the future could not be predicted now, he said, adding that it would be inappropriate to speak about inducting a party that is still part of another front.

However, he stressed that the UDF is witnessing steady expansion in a broader sense. “People who oppose Left rule, who want democracy to prevail and secular values to be protected, are increasingly aligning with the UDF. That is our real expansion,” he said.

He noted that several movements and individuals are coming forward to support the UDF, and expressed confidence that more people from the LDF, the BJP and other political formations would gravitate towards the front. “What matters to us is not parties, but people. Our primary task is to mobilise public support and strengthen the UDF. Decisions on alliances are for political parties to make,” he added.