Thiruvananthapuram, May 7 (IANS) Breaking his silence for the first time after the CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front suffered its worst-ever electoral setback in Kerala, former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday acknowledged the shock defeat, defending his government’s decade-long record, and promising a political comeback.

He also admitted that the verdict demanded serious introspection within the Left camp.

In a lengthy statement issued in his capacity as a CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Vijayan said the Assembly election verdict was completely unexpected for the Left Democratic Front, while congratulating the Congress-led UDF for its emphatic victory.

“Though the expected third consecutive victory slipped away, a large section of the people stood firmly with the LDF, and that gives us immense confidence,” Vijayan said, describing the verdict not as an end but as a new beginning for continued political activity.

The statement assumes huge political significance as it comes amid mounting criticism against Vijayan and state secretary M. V. Govindan following the massive drubbing suffered by the Left, which was reduced to just 35 seats in the 140-member Assembly.

For nearly three decades, Vijayan had remained the undisputed power centre of Kerala’s CPI(M), first as state secretary from 1997 to 2015 and later as Chief Minister from 2016 onwards.

In his response, Vijayan strongly defended the Left government’s ten-year tenure, asserting that its welfare measures and development initiatives had brought major changes to Kerala society.

He said the LDF would function as a responsible opposition, support pro-people measures of the incoming government and strongly oppose anti-people decisions.

At the same time, the former Chief Minister alleged that widespread misinformation and propaganda had influenced the election outcome.

Former CM Vijayan accused sections of the media of promoting half-truths, exaggerations and factually incorrect campaigns, while also blaming what he termed corporate PR-driven fake narratives.

Importantly, he acknowledged growing public criticism and internal unease, promising an “open and democratic examination” of the debacle.

“Necessary corrections will be made,” the former CM said, adding that the Left would listen to concerns emerging both from the public and party cadres.

The BJP’s victory in three seats was described by him as a serious warning signal, with Vijayan asserting that the LDF’s fight to protect Kerala’s secular fabric would continue.

–IANS

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