CPI(M) routed in Kerala: Vijayan's decade ends in gloom and internal reckoning
Synopsis
CPI(M)'s Kerala rout is more than an election loss — it is the unravelling of a decade-long political model built on centralised authority. With UDF at 102 seats and rebels winning against the party, the crisis is as much internal as electoral.
Key Takeaways
UDF has touched 102 seats in Kerala; the Left won 35 and BJP won 3 , as of the latest tally.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's decade-long rule has effectively ended after the CPI(M)'s worst setback in years.
Party insiders blame
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is reeling from a stunning electoral rout in Kerala, with the United Democratic Front (UDF) surging to 102 seats against the Left's 35 and the BJP's 3, effectively ending the decade-long rule of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The scale of the defeat, described by insiders as not merely electoral but structural, has triggered a wave of introspection and internal recrimination across the party.
A Deserted Headquarters and a Stunned Cadre
The CPI(M)'s state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, once a hive of post-poll calculations and cadre mobilisation, wore an unusually deserted look on 4 May. Even die-hard party workers appeared crestfallen, with many privately acknowledging the depth of the setback. The aura of invincibility that followed the party's historic 2021 surge has dissipated rapidly, replaced by unease and public soul-searching.
Vijayan's Leadership Style Under Scrutiny
At the centre of the criticism is Vijayan himself, whose leadership style — long regarded as decisive — has now come under scrutiny for what insiders describe as
Point of View
Not just electorally. The harder question is whether the party can reform from within when the very leader who built this centralised apparatus has yet to publicly own the defeat.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the Kerala election 2025 results for CPI(M) and UDF?
As per the latest tally, the UDF has won 102 seats, the Left 35, and the BJP 3 in the Kerala Assembly election. The result ends CPI(M) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's decade-long rule.
Why did CPI(M) lose the Kerala election?
Party insiders point to excessive centralisation under Vijayan, disconnect from grassroots realities, and internal rebel candidacies as key factors. Senior leaders have acknowledged the defeat was structural, not merely electoral.
Who are the rebel candidates who won against CPI(M)?
Rebels T.K. Govindan, V. Kunjikrishnan, and former minister G. Sudhakaran — all backed or supported by the Congress-led opposition — won their respective seats, dealing a blow to party discipline.
What has CPI(M) leadership said about the defeat?
State Secretary M.V. Govindan promised a comprehensive introspection, acknowledging underperformance across Kerala. Senior leader M.V. Jayarajan stressed the urgency of reconnecting with voters and reviewing candidate selection. General Secretary M.A. Baby flagged fissures in organisational discipline.
Has Pinarayi Vijayan taken responsibility for the CPI(M) defeat?
As of 4 May, Vijayan had not publicly taken responsibility for the electoral debacle. Senior leaders have signalled the need for course correction, but direct accountability from Vijayan remains awaited.
