"Failed to understand pulse of people ": CPI-M Kerala secretary MV Govindan on Lok Sabha debacle

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 20 : CPI (M) state secretary M V Govindan on Thursday said that the CPI (M) suffered a major defeat in the 18th Lok Sabha Elections as they failed to understand the people's sentiments.
"The Left has failed to understand the people's sentiments. The disruption of welfare pensions and the pending DA arrears for government employees have also worked against us," MV Govindan said.
He alleged that the Christian community in Kerala has always opposed the communal agenda. However, in this election, some sections of the Christian community have shifted towards the BJP due to various reasons, including threats.
"The Christian community in Kerala has always stood against the communal agenda. However, it is true that in this election a section of them has shifted towards the BJP due to various reasons, including threats. In some places, even bishops were involved personally," CPM State Secretary Govindan said.
"The Left Democratic Front has suffered a major defeat in Kerala. As in 2019, we could only win one seat. There is a prevailing belief in Kerala, especially among minorities, that the Congress is more likely than the CPI (M) to form and lead a government at the national level. This perception has adversely affected the CPI (M)'s electoral success," Govindan said.
He also said the unity of the League, Congress, Jamaat-e-Islami, Popular Front, and SDPI played a significant role in the party's defeat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election.
"The unity of the League, Congress, Jamaat-e-Islami, Popular Front, and SDPI played a significant role in our defeat. Despite contesting against each other in other elections, their votes combined to form a united front against the Left," Govindan said.