Kerala election results: For CPM, time to introspect

With CPM facing its worst-ever electoral defeat since the post-Emergency verdict, the party will be forced to conduct an introspection that will have far-reaching impact on its structure and tactics. The authority of Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been controlling the party reins for the past three decades, will be challenged.Vijayan first rose to prominence in 1996 as electricity minister in the E K Nayanar-led cabinet. In 1998, following the death of state secretary Chadayan Govindan, he was elevated to the post with late CM V S Achuthanandan's support. Ironically, Achuthanandan soon became his fiercest rival.As state secretary, Vijayan curbed factionalism and consolidated his authority. He became CM in 2016. Breaking CPM precedent, the CM's office became the sole power centre, with Vijayan controlling both the govt and party.The party's main challenge now is to reconnect with the masses and break free from what critics call a centralized coterie-style leadership. "Such a landslide defeat points to a failure of leadership. The party will be forced to introspect," said political analyst Jacob George.The leadership itself has conceded the need for course correction. "We will examine the reasons for this huge defeat and take corrective measures based on that evaluation," CPM state secretary MV Govindan told reporters on Monday.There is a strong chance the review will expose fault lines that could trigger internal revolts. If grounded in reality, those revolts may lead to a major purge within the party. Otherwise, such revolts may lead to rifts in the party that may become strong enough to evolve into a split. This will be a testing time for the diplomacy and ideological strength of the party leadership.One of the major issues will be identifying leaders who can regain the CPM's identity as a dynamic and mass-based party. The selection of the opposition leader is the first task at hand.Strategic strikes, agitations and campaigns will play a key role in remoulding the party. This requires a strong party as well as leadership.