Alappuzha (Keralam), Sep 2 (PTI) CPI(M) central committee member T M Thomas Isaac has said the arrogance that developed in the party after 10 years in power and its alleged failure to consider public sentiment while selecting candidates contributed to its massive electoral setback in the recent Assembly polls.
Addressing a local party programme here on Tuesday, Isaac said the CPI(M) suffered a major setback in the election and needed to understand the reasons for its defeat and make corrections.
The video footage of the event was telecast by television channels on Wednesday.
The arrogance that grew in the party during its 10 years in power became a setback, Isaac said, adding that allegations of corruption in cooperative banks and other issues had influenced voters.
The party should approach people with humility and listen to their views, he said.
“Even if everything people say may not be correct, we should be willing to listen to their opinions,” Isaac said.
“We have to correct ourselves. Correction alone is not enough. People should be convinced that we have changed,” he said.
Isaac also said the party’s stand that it was convenient if someone left the CPI(M) was not correct.
He said the campaign alleging a “CPI(M)-BJP deal” during the election was believed by people and the party failed to effectively counter it.
Some statements made by party leaders had also helped the campaign, he said without naming anyone particular.
However, Isaac said the people had neither rejected nor written off the CPI(M), and urged the party to convince them through corrective measures that it had improved its functioning.
His statements assumed political significance as it at variance with explanations offered by prominent leaders of the state party leadership, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary M V Govindan regarding the poll debacle.
The statements made by Isaac, a two time former minister, were interpreted by a section of media as a pointed criticism of the party leadership.
The Congress-led UDF returned to power in Kerala with a massive mandate, winning nearly 100 seats in the 140-member Assembly, defeating the CPI(M)-led LDF, which was seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office. PTI LGK ROH
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