EDITORIAL

Resounding Victory In Kerala 

THE local body elections in Kerala have resulted in a resounding victory for the Left Democratic Front (LDF).  The LDF has won in 12 out of the 14 district panchayats.  It has won all the five corporations having wrested the Thrissur corporation, which was the lone one held by the UDF.  Of the  53 municipalities, the LDF has won 30 as compared to 15 last time. The results of the block and gram panchayats confirm the sweeping nature of the victory. Out of the total of 999 gram panchayats, the LDF has won 70 per cent.  In the block panchayats, 80 per cent have gone to the LDF.

This sweeping victory for the CPI(M) and the LDF is a continuation of the massive support of the people that the LDF got in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.  The UDF has lost ground in many of its strongholds.  The  results are a strong rebuff to the Oommen Chandy government, whose dismal performance  has alienated even its traditional supporters. Callous policies which have adversely affected the working people have led to this massive popular rejection of all that the Congress-led coalition stands for.

Another feature of these elections is the open alliance that the Congress forged with the BJP in most parts of the state. The BJP leadership itself had announced that they have held talks with nine District Congress Committee  presidents for an understanding on division of seats. Such an unprincipled alliance has benefited the BJP in some places.  This can be seen in Kasargod district where  the BJP was able to win two seats in the district panchayat and get the second largest number of seats in Kasargod municipality. In Palakkad municipality too, the BJP was able to win 17 seats as against 16 of the UDF because of this unscrupulous gang-up.  

The national leadership of the Congress party has to explain how this rank opportunism displayed in Kerala conforms to their secular commitment. One expects the Congress party to fight the Left in all elections in Kerala as both sides have different policies and contend each other’s politics. But, anti-communism has become the hallmark of the Congress in Kerala which leads it to the worst type of politics of ganging up with the BJP and the RSS. 

The local body results should serve as a warning to the Congress. It cannot expect to escape the people’s wrath by stooping to such  tactics. The decisive victory for the LDF will open the way for rejuvenating the local bodies given the firm commitment of the Left for democratic decentralisation and for widening popular participation in developmental and civic activities.

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS IN KERALA – RESULTS AT A GLANCE