'Move to replace Shailaja proved costly'; Criticism continues against CPM leadership

KANNUR: The Mattanur CPM area committee said the leadership’s decision to change former minister and senior leader KK Shailaja from the Mattanur candidacy proved costly. The committee criticised that state leadership did not come to campaign in the constituency, and the condescending behaviour of state secretary MV Govindan left people disgusted. The candidates in the constituencies were not selected properly, and the opinions of the lower committees were not considered.

The Palakkad CPI district council also criticised LDF:

While the UDF campaigned according to the trend, the LDF limited itself to Pinarayi Vijayan. Dalit groups distanced themselves from the LDF in the elections. 64 Dalit organisations worked against the LDF. The shortcomings in addressing the left politics also affected the LDF in certain areas. There was also criticism that CPM sidelined the CPI in many places. The criticism was made at the district council meeting attended by P Santosh Kumar MP.