In a rare move, Thomas Issac criticises CPI(M) for electoral defeat in Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat

Stating that a large section of LDF voters chose to vote for the UDF and the BJP in this election, he questioned the party’s failure to understand that there was an anti-LDF wave in Kerala.

“The party’s failure to read the changes in the attitude of voters is huge. At no point in the election could it be understood that there was an anti-LDF wave in Kerala. The electoral defeat shows that a large section of LDF voters voted for the UDF and the BJP. An important question to answer is why assessments fail,” he wrote in the social media post.

In a notable departure from customary silence, veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) leader @drthomasisaac has publicly scrutinized the party’s recent electoral setback in the Pathanamthitta constituency.

Issac, a seasoned politician and former finance minister of… pic.twitter.com/pxMg2e3zdu

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 4, 2024

The former state finance minister’s post offers a rare glimpse into the internal workings and strategic missteps of the CPI(M). Writing further, he said that the election result is a big change from the old tradition and that the relationship with people has become very weak.

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However, he opined that there is no point in blaming people for this because the downfall is “organisational and credibility (of the party) has been shaken.”

Arrogant and disdainful behaviour alienates people from the party and this can be seen at all levels of CPI(M), he alleged.

Stating the importance of treating people with humility, he quoted Mao Zedong’s famous saying that communists should be “among the people like a fish in the water.”

Criticising the party for rising corruption even at the local government levels, Thomas said that the indifferent attitude in overseeing the running of co-operative banks has created a serious crisis in many places.

Adding to that is the “scams that question the credibility of CPI(M).” Referring to the changing times and changing ways in how people, particularly current generation consume news, he said listening and learning from criticisms is the way to go.

(Edited by Neena)

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