With defeat in Kerala, Left out of power for first time since 1977

With the defeat in the Kerala Assembly elections, Left parties are not in power in any state for the first time since 1977. This setback has sharpened questions about the political strategy of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). [CPI(M)]. During its campaign, the Congress had accused the ruling party of colluding with the BJP, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and branding the CPI(M) as the “Communist Janata Party”.

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby denied the accusation and said it was a “deliberate” and “distorted” narrative aimed at tarnishing the party’s image. “CPI(M) stands for people from all walks of life, we have always supported the socially excluded, both in terms of religion and caste,” he said.