'This verdict is against Pinarayi Vijayan, not CPM; he should take responsibility for defeat'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Left MP Sebastian Paul said that the LDF suffered a massive defeat in the assembly elections and that the people wrote the verdict with utmost clarity. He said that the LDF sought votes mainly in the name of one individual and that there are several issues with seeking a third consecutive term. Speaking to a media outlet, he also said that the continuance of governance is not a democratic concept.

"I'm not using the term dictator. In a federal system, the Chief Minister of a state has limitations in becoming a dictator. But there was a sense of excessive authority and an attitude of doing whatever he wanted without being questioned. That is what people have rejected. This is not a vote against the CPM, but against Pinarayi Vijayan. Pinarayi should take the responsibility for this defeat," Sebastian Paul said.

"A Communist Chief Minister always works by remaining obedient to the party. Now it feels like there is not even a party secretary, as Pinarayi Vijayan was allowed to act without any party control. At the very least, he should have shown restraint and dignity in his language. People will not accept a situation where anything can be said about opponents,” he said.

Sebastian Paul also said the CPM is unlikely to treat criticism as a chance for correction. "The party gives more importance to its decisions. It should also listen to the opinions of its allies and sympathisers. It had shown intolerance when I raised some issues. My views were misunderstood and treated with hostility," he said.

"I don't believe that the governance of the LDF government was poor. Governance was not the main issue in this election. The verdict was against Pinarayi Vijayan. He may not be able to function comfortably as the leader of a small opposition,” Sebastian Paul said.