'Organisational collapse, factionalism and Mayor's arrogance'; CPM district committee's election loss assessment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM district committee, in its severe criticism, cited the lack of organisational might and factionalism for the setback in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation election. The district secretary pointed fingers at the Sabarimala gold theft, while the state secretary denied this. Mayor Arya Rajendran received heavy flak from district leaders. CPM state secretary M. V. Govindan justified the arrest of former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board M. Padmakumar.

In more than 15 wards in Thiruvananthapuram Municipality, CPM lost by more than a hundred votes. Karamana Hari blamed organisational weaknesses for the defeat. District Secretary V Joy opined that the party failed to gauge the sentiments of the Sabarimala issue. Many other leaders said that inviting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath to attend the Global Ayyappa Meet virtually backfired.

A district committee member, who was a possible candidate for mayor, alleged sectarianism within the party had sown seeds of disparity. The member also found fault with two people posing as secretaries, in addition to the district secretary. There was also criticism targeting ministers' offices. K Ansalan alleged that MLAs are despondent after being forced to grovel in front of ministers' private secretaries.

Former mayor and MLA V.K. Prashanth criticised Arya Rajendran's five-year performance as Mayor.

“The allegations against the mayor affected the election. Arrogance and mismanagement backfired. The CPI's unnecessary claims in the district also caused problems. Lack of a senior leader to lead from the front also affected the prospects.”

The meeting also criticised the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board President M. Padmakumar in the Sabarimala case. MV Govindan clarified that the party would take action against Padmakumar once more details of the case come out.