LDF corrected course after setback, confident of minority support, says RJD State secretary general Varughese George

Vadakara is often seen as a socialist stronghold, yet the UDF won last time and the RJD failed to make significant gains in the recent local body polls. Does this point to a fragmentation of the socialist vote? Is your support base eroding?

Since the formation of the Vadakara Assembly constituency, socialist forces have largely retained their dominance, with the exception of a single victory by the undivided Communist Party. The 2021 result, in which the RMPI won with UDF support, was shaped by specific and unusual circumstances rather than a structural shift in voter sentiment. We do not see any fragmentation of the socialist vote or an erosion of our support base. On the contrary, the ground situation remains favourable to us. RJD candidate is a well-known local leader who has served as the Eramala grama panchayat president three times, with a strong connect among the people. In the recent three-tier local body elections, we did not face any significant backlash in the Vadakara region. As in the past, with socialist and communist forces coming together, we are confident of consolidating our traditional support base and reclaiming the constituency.

A section within the party had called for severing ties with the LDF and aligning with the UDF. Could internal rifts affect your electoral prospects?

There were some issues in the party’s Kozhikode city unit, but we have already contained them. P. Kishan Chandh was ousted from the RJD for anti-party activities, while Sabah Pulpetta, who was initially removed from the post of office-bearer, has since been reinstated. The party is facing the Assembly elections as a united front.

Senior leaders, including State president Shreyams Kumar and former Minister K.P. Mohanan, are not contesting this time. What is the strategy behind this decision?

The decision of senior leaders to step aside was voluntary and aimed at creating space for new candidates. It reflects the party’s effort to promote younger leaders and facilitate a generational transition within its ranks.

How do you assess the LDF’s prospects in this election?

The LDF has effectively recovered from the setback it experienced in the local body polls. The coalition undertook a detailed review of the reasons behind the backlash and has since taken corrective measures. While sections of the minority community had drifted away from the Left during the local body elections, we are optimistic that they will return to support the LDF in the Assembly polls, particularly in the larger context of resisting the BJP. Despite sustained financial constraints imposed by the Centre, the State government has continued to implement key social welfare schemes and maintain capital investment, which has been well received by the public. We are confident that the LDF will secure a third consecutive term in office.