CPI(M) rejects Congress claim that anti-government sentiment advantaged the Opposition in local body bypolls

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Friday rejected the Congress claim that “anti-incumbency anger” against the Pinarayi Vijayan government had manifested in the United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition’s favour in the recent byelections in 31 local body wards in the State.

CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan said the UDF, in conjunction with the right-wing media, had disseminated the false information that voters had dealt the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) a severe blow in the bypolls.

He said the UDF had won 16 seats. The LDF and BJP emerged victorious in 11 and three seats, respectively. The Congress’s claim that the UDF had wrested three local bodies from the LDF was patently false. The UDF had merely retained power in the LSGIs.

Mr. Govindan said the local body bypolls were no bellwether of Kerala’s voting behaviour, and the LDF was on course to form a “third Pinarayi Vijayan government” in 2026.

Mr. Govindan said the CPI(M) has braced itself for a wave of misinformation regarding the ongoing party conferences.

He said the conferences were a corrective process undertaken by the party. However, the right-wing media has chosen to ignore the spirit of the organisation’s rectification process. Instead, it has decided to cherry-pick shreds of dubious speculation to vilify the CPI(M) as a party on the decline.

The CPI(M) State secretariat has resolved to mobilise students, teachers, parents, opinion leaders, writers, and intellectuals to resist Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s bid to strip State-funded universities of their autonomy and saffronise the higher education sector.

He said Mr. Khan had overruled court orders and appointed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) apparatchiks as Vice-Chancellors in several universities.

“The Vice-Chancellors have attempted to render university syndicates impotent by not implementing their decisions. Instead, they have accorded academic and administrative control of varsities to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of State universities”.

The CPI(M) secretariat has also decided to mobilise public opinion against the Sangh Parivar’s bid to eclipse iconic and social reformers and freedom fighters.

“The RSS had no role in the Independence movement. It found itself on the wrong side of history. Now, the RSS seeks to rewrite history and present a revivalist version to future generations,” he added.

Published - December 13, 2024 07:17 pm IST