‘BJP’s rise in Kerala a serious matter … it is a big threat, Left should find a way to counter it’: CPI leader Binoy Viswam

It is the verdict of the people and in that regard, we regard this as a lesson from which we need to learn, not just the CPI but the Left as a whole. We should collectively as well as individually review the verdict in the spirit that people are bigger and mightier than any leader. When we learn the lessons, we have to ask ourselves what went wrong with us.

* Did you expect such a result?

None of us in the LDF expected such a setback. Rather, in reviews before the polling, the CPI and the CPI(M), as well as the LDF collectively, were expecting victory. We failed to see some undercurrents. In fact, what is more serious is that we could not foresee such a setback.

* Was there an anti-government sentiment at play? And how big a concern is it before the Assembly elections?

When we tell people we will learn our lessons, we will look into every aspect of it (the loss) … One point of examination is how people evaluated our governance. There are no barriers to that.

* Given the arrest of senior CPI(M) leader A Padmakumar, do you think the Sabarimala gold theft issue played a role in the Left’s poor performance?

After the results, when we see the immediate reactions of people from all walks of life, we see that the Sabarimala incident had a bigger impact than we thought, as people are not ready to conceive that the Left can behave in such a manner.

* Isn’t it a very short window for the Left to introspect, learn lessons and take corrective steps?

We have little time at our disposal, and we must introspect within that time. We need to find all shortcomings and rectify them.

The Left is a different identity. We must be remarkably committed to the people… There is a constant campaign by a section of society that both the Left and the Right are the same, with the difference only in name. I believe the Left should be more remarkable, more ideological, more philosophical, more political, and more practical. We must be different in our ways, deeds, thoughts and life. We need to underline this difference with our behaviour and way of life.

* It’s not like that after 10 years of being in power…

A segment of people believes so. We need to bring back their confidence by showing them that we are different from the ideology and politics of the BJP as well as the United Democratic Front (UDF). This means we have to be accountable to the people in matters of governance, corruption and our behaviour. We should be able to convince them of the difference.

* Has an element of overconfidence crept into the Left in Kerala after being in power for a decade? It was seen as one of the reasons for the rout in West Bengal.

The CPI has found many times that lessons need to be learnt from Bengal. What happened in Bengal must be an eye-opener for us. By us, I do not mean to exclude the CPI. I am not saying the CPI is foolproof and that we are perfect, and that the mistake is on the CPI(M)’s part.

We are convinced that we need to make a self-critical analysis. We always say in the party and to the cadre that we have our shortcomings and that our task is to overcome these shortcomings to uphold the values of the Communist movement. The erosion of these values will lead to the Left becoming the Right.

If the Right indulges in corruption, people will say they are supposed to do it, but if the Left does the same, the people will not tolerate it as the Left is not supposed to function in such a way.

* Do you think that the belief that the Pinarayi Vijayan government has a tacit understanding with the BJP at the Centre led to minority votes shifting away from the Left?

I personally do not think so. However, it is unfortunate for the Left that the minorities, who were with us, are left with a sense of believing that the government has an understanding with the BJP on some issues.

That said, this defeat is not one that will have a big impact on the future of the Left. LDF governments have experienced such electoral debacles earlier, too, but we have proven that we have the capacity to bounce back.

We faced a big defeat in the 2010 local body polls as well, but what happened in the Assembly elections the following year? We did not come to power, but the margin was only two seats. We do not believe it is the end of the road.

* How do you see the rise of the BJP in Kerala?

It is a serious matter and we take it with all seriousness. The BJP believes in the chaturvarna system and when it comes to Kerala with this ideology, it is a big threat. We should find a way to counter it.
Maybe the Communist movement has a duty to understand the gravity of the challenge and the situation.

Our message to the minorities is that we are here to stand by them and uphold their rights. We understand their anxiety. The only way forward for the state and the country is secularism and we are 100% committed to it.