MV Govindan
By Shankar Raj*
Thiruvananthapuram: In a big surprise, the Kerala state secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), MV Govindan, has opened up and acknowledged that there is an urgent need for critical introspection and drastic course correction within the party following the humiliating defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Kerala where the party got just one seat out of 20.
Govindan, who usually is on the defensive when the party faces criticism and is an expert in sweeping things under the carpet said: “Silencing criticism will only lead to self-destruction. If a change cannot be brought in now in the way the committees function, the party will not last long.”
Speaking at the party secretariat meeting, he said “If anyone criticises a position or policy, she or he is silenced, with disciplinary action. If the state secretariat continues to function in this manner, there is bound to be a huge backlash.”
Though he did not name Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the comment came at a time when the CM called a bishop a ‘fool’ for criticizing him.
Citing this, commentators said there is a growing feeling that Pinarayi cannot take either criticism or responsibility for the recent defeat. He had led the campaigning from the front. He had blundered in trying to overprotect the Muslim community and directed his fire at Rahul Gandhi repeatedly even though the CPM and the Congress party are part of the I.N.D.I. Alliance.
Though not in this context, Govindan said there was severe criticism of how differences of opinion are being suppressed.
Presenting the preliminary review report to the party, Govindan said it is still not too late for the party to undertake corrective measures.
Sources said the party felt anti-Left sentiment among voters against the government and a few leaders. The last-minute EP Jayarajan-BJP row and corruption charges against the firm of the chief minister’s daughter led to a major credibility erosion, pointed out another senior leader.
“The government’s financial crisis and pension delays also contributed to resentment among a section. However, the reluctance to come out clean on the corruption charges against the Chief Minister’s daughter led to major damage.
Similarly, the public accusation linking Left Democratic Front convener E P Jayarajan with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders also affected the party’s credibility. “The unfortunate fact is that the party’s vote base has eroded. These votes have gone to the BJP, and not to the Congress. This should be viewed seriously,” a senior leader was quoted in the media.
*Shankar Raj is a former editor of The New Indian Express, Karnataka and Kerala, and writes regularly on current affairs.
