Pinarayi Vijayan, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, is seeking a third consecutive term in office in Kerala, a feat no politician in the state has achieved since its formation in 1957. At 81, Vijayan is chasing history, and his message is "vikasanam" (development).
His critics, however, see the reduction of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to a single face as the rise of a strongman cult defined by nepotism, cronyism, corruption, and the betrayal of democratic norms. The government's record on civil liberties, including a rise in encounters, has triggered discontent among the broader Left constituency.
The LDF's refusal to engage with ASHA workers, a crucial workforce in the healthcare sector, who went on strike demanding higher wages, was interpreted by many as evidence of the CPM's new class interests. The government's pro-capital turn has also alienated the cultural Left, and the party's relationship with the working-class has been weakened.
The CPI(M) expects the development narrative to override the campaigns of the United Democratic Front – the Congress-led Opposition – and of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which highlight issues such as the alleged theft of gold in the Sabarimala shrine and corruption. However, the BJP's rise as the first choice of many Hindus in the state could undermine Vijayan's bid for office.
The CPI(M) leadership has sought to reverse the tide by adopting a political language that has alienated Muslims. The Muslim League is the second largest constituent in the UDF, and a narrative persists that Muslims benefit more in a Congress regime.
The LDF has repeated nearly all its incumbent MLAs, who need no introduction in their constituencies, and according to party insiders, remain popular. The UDF got just three weeks to introduce their candidates, many of them new, to voters: Elections were declared on March 15 and Kerala votes on April 9.
