High-voltage campaign backfired in bypoll: CPI

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI leaders find the over enthusiasm exhibited by the LDF camp and the high voltage campaign it unleashed as the major reasons that backfired heavily on LDF in the Thrikkakara byelection.
Reflecting this basic assessment expressed by the party leaders, CPI national secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam told reporters here on Saturday that all development initiatives should first get the support and approval of the public.
Though CPI has not made any official discussion to examine the humiliating defeat of LDF in Thrikkakara byelection, many of its senior leaders feel that the undue importance attached to the bypoll could have been avoided, especially since the upper hand of UDF in the assembly segment was no secret. “The din created by the high voltage campaign involving the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues created an impression that the LDF ignored the basic characteristics of the constituency. The false projection of LDF prowess could have triggered the consolidation of UDF votes,” said a senior CPI leader.
The attempt to look down at the ground support of UDF in its traditional stronghold must have driven off votes that would have otherwise polled for LDF, he added.
Viswam’s words that “Thrikkakkara should be a lesson”, could also be a precursor to the changing attitude of LDF towards the iron will exhibited by the government to push the SilverLine project. The reasons for the LDF candidate’s failure in the bypoll would be examined by the front and each of its constituents.