CPI(M) leader Puthalath Dinesan acknowledges campaign failures behind Kerala Assembly poll loss

Puthalath Dinesan, a leader in Communist Party of India (Marxist), recognized party's shortcomings following Left Democratic Front's win of just 35 out of 140 Assembly seats in recent Kerala elections. He stressed importance of internal reviews and strategies to tackle these challenges and enhance performance in future elections.

BRIC Team

Jul 3, 2026 · 2 min read · 3 views

CPI(M) leader Puthalath Dinesan acknowledges campaign failures behind Kerala Assembly poll loss

Key Takeaways

•Puthalath Dinesan admitted the CPI(M) faced significant shortcomings, particularly in candidate selection and response to the Sabarimala gold plate controversy.
•The CPI(M)-led LDF only secured 35 out of 140 Assembly seats in the recent Kerala elections, marking the end of a decade in power.
•Dinesan criticized the inclusion of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's message at the Ayyappa Sangamam, calling it inappropriate and damaging to public perception.
•Six former CPI(M) members ran against the LDF, creating a 'negative impression' among voters, according to Dinesan's analysis.
•Dinesan acknowledged the party's unclear response to anti-Muslim remarks by Vellappally Natesan, which allowed opponents to spread misleading narratives.

Puthalath Dinesan,leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)],admits major flaws in party's campaign during Kerala Assembly elections . Result? A stinging defeat for Left Democratic Front (LDF). In a Facebook post Thursday night,Dinesan listed factors behind loss: bad candidate picks,slow move on Sabarimala gold plate mess.

CPI(M) got slammed for choices in Payyannur,Taliparamba . Dinesan said leadership's decisions there “did not prove beneficial.” He pointed to party's slow action on Sabarimala gold loss involving ex-Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A . Padmakumar. “Though there were limitations in taking action while Mr. Padmakumar was in jail,not acting considering urgency of the issue was shortcoming,” he said.

Another issue: TDB's Ayyappa Sangamam event. Dinesan argued UDF,right-wing media twisted it as government-backed,tilting public opinion. Criticized including message from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at event as wrong move.

Dinesan talked internal party rifts,six members with past CPI(M) roles ran against LDF,leaving “negative impression” on voters. Stressed stopping personal goals from hurting party unity. Admitted CPI(M)’s unclear response to anti-Muslim comments by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan. “While the party made its disagreement clear,it should have issued a more explicit and critical response,” he said,noting this let opponents spread false stories.

Party's failure to sell vision through manifesto,lack of punch in LDF's slogan blamed too. Dinesan noted CPI(M) struggled to counter UDF propaganda; some campaign remarks backfired. “There were shortcomings in understanding the public mood,and weaknesses in taking party closer to the people,” he added.

Facing these issues,Dinesan said expanded State committee meeting would tackle strengthening organization,fixing flaws. Confident CPI(M) can learn from this loss,he stated party has overcome such hurdles through self-correction. “We view elections as part of broader class struggle,” he asserted,aiming to correct past mistakes,emerge stronger.

In recent elections,CPI(M)-led LDF won just 35 of 140 Assembly seats,ending decade-long rule. Since then,party's been reviewing at different levels to dissect defeat,strategize for future elections…

#Kerala