Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau issues statement on election results

“Assembly elections were held in five states – Assam, Keralam, Puducherry, Tamilnadu and West Bengal in April.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a serious setback in Keralam after ten years of continuous rule. For the first time, the BJP was able to win three seats, which poses a serious threat. The conduct of the Congress, making baseless allegations and spreading canards against the CPI(M), along with its soft approach towards communal forces, contributed to the growth of the BJP in Kerala.

Despite the loss, the LDF was able to secure 37.6 percent of the vote, demonstrating its support among the people. The PB thanks all LDF cadre and sympathisers who worked hard during the elections, as well as the people of Keralam who voted for us. The Party will be in the forefront in resisting the growth of communal forces in the state and will protect the secular, democratic fabric of society. It will continue to take up the issues of the people and resist any attacks on their livelihood and democratic rights.

The Party has conducted a preliminary review of the results and will conduct an in-depth review in the coming days to identify the weaknesses responsible for this setback. The opinions of all Party members and well-wishers will be taken into consideration during this review. Necessary course correction and rectification will be made to strengthen the Party.

The victory of the BJP in West Bengal is a major blow and has been achieved on the basis of a communal, divisive and vitriolic hate campaign, the huge amount of money it spent, and the gross misuse of central agencies, including the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the SIR exercise. The BJP also benefited from the strong anti-incumbency against the corrupt and authoritarian TMC government. Together with the re-election of the BJP in Assam with an increased majority, we notice an ascendancy of Hindutva-communal, right-wing forces. The BJP’s alliance with the NR Congress also won in Puducherry.

The BJP and its allies tried to sabotage the electoral verdict in Tamilnadu by using the Governor’s office. They tried their best to prevent the formation of a government led by Sri C. Joseph Vijay, the leader of the TVK. When all their attempts failed, the Governor was forced to swear him in as the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

The CPI(M), along with the CPI and the VCK, extended support to the TVK-led government to safeguard secular, democratic, and constitutional principles. We congratulate the newly sworn-in government and hope that it will live up to the expectations of the people and fulfill the promises it has made.”