The Leftists left West Bengal to Mamata Banerjee. It was a fit case of leaving the state of Bongs in the lurch.
In Kerala, the incumbent chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan applied a different strategy. Here the Marxists have increasingly embraced a corporatist approach. It need not be out of choice.
And the compulsion was 'driven' by the need to generate employment and sustain growth. The result - much Transformation.
On May 17, 2019, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan stood at the London Stock Exchange and rang the ceremonial bell to mark the listing of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) Masala Bonds. For a dyed-in-the-wool communist, it was an almost unthinkable thing to happen.
Today, the stage is set for vote count and if Exit Polls predictions were correct, the CPI-M-led LDF will be shown the door after a decade - that is two terms in power. In more ways than one, it could be a 'different Kerala' than it was in 2016.
However, as the politics always is; the "transformation" has its critics.
Economist P A Mathew, a professor at Mysore Royal Academy Business School, described it as a “capitalist expedition", according to 'New Indian Express'.
The news paper reports that that the most dramatic shift in Kerala under Vijayan has been in higher education.
“From opposing self-financing colleges to enabling private universities, the change is profound,” says Mathew, calling it a departure from core Marxist principles.
“I was very confident we are going to win we are going to score a comfortable win of above 75 seats,” said Shashi Tharoor referring to the 140-member Assembly.
Several exit polls have predicted a UDF victory, potentially unseating the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Tharoor suggested the results could have wider political significance beyond Kerala.
“It will be the first time that the LDF is not in power anywhere in the country that will be a major development,” he said.
While exit polls back the UDF, Tharoor said he remains cautious about their accuracy. “We have to take into account gender, caste, class and regional disparities you never get a convincingly large enough sample,” he said.
Referring to reports from West Bengal, he added, “One polling company has said 60 per cent of people refused to answer. So, what is the worth of a poll where 60 per cent of your respondents have not answered?”
Polling for the Kerala Assembly was held on April 9.
At the centre of leadership debate in Kerala are K. C. Venugopal, V. D. Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala—each commanding distinct factions and influence.
For some time there was speculation about Shashi Tharoor as well but his 'alleged' soft corner for the Modi Govt vis-a-vis Operation Sndoor had perhaps spoiled his chance.
Venugopal, a Lok Sabha MP from Alappuzha and a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, is seen as the high command’s trusted hand. His strategic advice in 2019—when Gandhi chose to contest from Wayanad after sensing trouble in Amethi—continues to bolster his stature within the party.
He is now AICC general secretary in-charge organisation.
Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, has built his claim through aggressive campaigning and direct attacks on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. His strong base in Ernakulam and control over a section of MLAs could work to his advantage.
Chennithala, the veteran face among the three, remains in the fray with his experience and organizational backing, though questions persist about his ability to command legislative support in a post-election scenario.
The Congress high command has, for now, kept its cards close to its chest.
ends
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