CPM brass faces ire in Idukki meets

Idukki: Sharp criticism was directed against the party brass at the CPM Idukki district committee meetings held in the wake of the party's heavy defeat in the assembly elections. In Cheruthoni, some members blamed the brass for not fielding state secretariat member M M Mani in Udumbanchola constituency, terming it a major setback. Certain members reportedly described the decision to not field Mani as a ‘huge blunder'. Some members also said that the candidature of K K Jayachandran was imposed by the brass and that the Idukki district committee had no role in the decision. Members argued that sidelining Mani and instead fielding another state secretariat member in Udumbanchola went against public sentiment. While others were granted relaxation in the party's two-term norm, Mani was excluded, creating confusion among voters. The meeting also reportedly observed that the SIR of electoral rolls contributed to the defeat in Udumbanchola. Leaders further opined that the overall defeat of LDF across the state was due to the brass losing touch with the people. Discussions reportedly pointed to arrogance and public disconnect among functionaries. In Devikulam, some members said A Raja's defeat was the result of negligence and vote leakage within CPM ranks. They also said former CPM functionary S Rajendran had been underestimated. Some members argued that expelling Rajendran from the party was a mistake and that he could have been retained within the CPM fold. In Peermade, members observed that the CPI candidate being from outside the constituency affected LDF's vote share, leading to a heavy defeat. Labour issues in plantation regions also impacted the outcome. It was further alleged that CPI and allied LDF components did not function effectively in the constituency. The front also failed to properly assess the strengths, weaknesses and public influence of the rival candidate. Meanwhile, another section in the secretariat came out in support of former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary M V Govindan. Representatives from the Nedumkandam and Shantanpara area committees reportedly argued that the burden of defeat should not be placed solely on them. They also blamed serious lapses on the part of the party brass in Idukki. The secretariat also demanded that lower-level party units examine whether vote leakage had occurred within the party in Idukki. It was further assessed that there had been widespread leakage in the votes of Kerala Congress (M) in Idukki constituency.