ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Left Democratic FrontSubscribe to Left Democratic Front

Kerala Elections 2021

The victory of the Left Democratic Front in the elections to Kerala legislative assembly needs to be contextualised within certain key social and economic developments that the state witnessed in the last five years. While doing so, certain narratives that have emerged in the media about possible factors responsible for the LDF victory need to be critically engaged with.

 

Left Democratic Front Victory in Kerala’s Local Body Elections

The ruling Left Democratic Front clinched a colossal victory in the local body elections of 2020. A close reading of the results shows that people are more inclined to the forces that are sensitive to their real problems and needs in everyday life. It also reveals that the welfare measures of the government have eclipsed the corruption charges levelled against it.

 

Impact of the Kerala Congress(M) on the Left Democratic Front

The Kerala Congress(M) holds the capacity to alter the equilibrium of coalition politics in Kerala. However, for the Left Democratic Front to benefit from the KC(M)’s entry into its fold, an extended harmonious partnership at the grassroots level is necessary.

Changing Voting Behaviour in Kerala Elections

In Kerala, a state with its time-tested social and political tradition which seeks to bind all sections of people together, irrespective of religion or caste, the emergence of the National Democratic Alliance as an alternative to the two mainstream political fronts had its repercussions among a section of the minorities. The fluctuation in the voting preferences signals the crisis the Left Democratic Front is facing. Except for the extremely poor, all other socio-economic groups, including Dalits, Other Backward Castes, the lower classes and the younger generation, are highly volatile and are changing their political preferences, depending on the unfolding social reality.

Kerala: Politics of Pressure Groups

Chief minister Antony's critical remarks about the pressure tactics of organised minorities in Kerala were provoked by the Muslim League's demands on the rehabilitation of the victims of communal violence in the fishing village of Marad and the stand of the Christian managements of two self-financing medical colleges in the matter of admissions and fees. While Karunakaran's predictable effort to use the episode to launch a revolt against the chief minister has been put down, thanks to the firm stand taken by the party high command, what Antony has to demonstrate in the three years he has left in power is his ability to successfully ride out the pressure politics of pressure groups without surrendering to them.

From People's Plan to Plan sans People

The people's planning programme, launched in Kerala in 1997, heralded a new approach towards decentralised planning and the participation of people in development programmes, especially by women and backward classes. However, the UDF, which took over government last year, has diluted many of the provisions of this programme, including funding, which may prove to be a setback to the functioning of this unique plan.

Back to Top