It was not the debacle in Thrikkakara, a pocket borough of the Congress, that rattled the Left Democratic Front (LDF) - more specifically the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] - when the outcome of the fiercely-fought bypoll became known on Friday. Its agony stemmed from the ‘enormity’ of the defeat, which was in stark contrast to the thoroughgoing campaign led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself.
The LDF had not left any stone unturned in its attempt to turn the tide in its favour, but could do nothing to slow, let alone stop, the United Democratic Front (UDF) juggernaut in its tracks. The defeat is, therefore, being read, also because it coincides with the first anniversary of the second LDF government led by Mr. Vijayan, as an appraisal of the government’s performance and a rejection of the SilverLine question on which the government had invested heavily and aggressively, rather unwittingly.
The party has sought consolation in the modest increase in the number of votes polled by the LDF candidate compared to the 2021 Assembly election when a LDF wave notwithstanding, the front fared poorly in Thrikkakara following which its campaign manager faced the sack.
