Kerala Politics in Flux: Analysis of Vote Shifts in 2023 Lok Sabha Polls

Following a significant defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, Kerala's CPI(M) claims their vote share only dropped by one per cent, while the Congress-led UDF lost five per cent. The BJP's win in Thrissur is attributed to the Congress' vote loss. CPI(M) promises introspection and future victories.

A day after experiencing a significant setback in the Lok Sabha polls, the ruling Left in Kerala, CPI(M), attempted to present a brave face. On Wednesday, CPI(M) claimed that the LDF only lost one per cent of its vote share compared to the 2019 results, whereas the Congress-led UDF lost five per cent.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan pointed out that the BJP's win in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat was due to the Congress losing over 80,000 votes in that constituency. Govindan highlighted that the LDF gained around 6,000 votes compared to 2019 in Thrissur, and this time the BJP won by over 74,000 votes margin. 'You do the maths,' he quipped, taking a dig at the Congress.

Govindan dismissed queries about a potential crisis in the Left government following the defeat, stating that victories and defeats are part of the process. Of the 20 seats in Kerala, the Congress won 14 seats, IUML-2, and the CPI(M), BJP, RSP, and Kerala Congress won one seat each. Acknowledging the major defeat, Govindan assured that the party would introspect and take steps to regain its hold in Kerala.

'We lost in the 2019 LS polls but came back strongly in the state assembly and local body elections. We will do so again,' he asserted. Govindan mentioned that the LDF would examine how the BJP’s vote share increased in many constituencies.

Regarding CPI(M) leader K K Shailaja's defeat in Vadakara LS seat, he blamed the Congress’s communal tactics and criticized the media for their incorrect poll outcome predictions. Despite everything, Govindan claimed, the LDF's vote share decreased only by one per cent.

Meanwhile, CPI(M)'s V Joy, who lost narrowly in Attingal, noted that in many religious minority-dominated areas, people voted for the Congress, contributing to LDF’s defeat. He expressed concern regarding the increased BJP vote share due to the Congress losing votes and some Hindu votes shifting due to the BJP's Hindutva campaign. The LDF managed to hold just one seat on both occasions, winning from Alappuzha in 2019 and Alathur this time.