The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), an ally of the LDF, is contesting three seats — Vadakara, Koothuparambha and Kalpetta constituencies — while the RJD leader is contesting as an LDF independent from the Koduvally segment. In the upcoming polls, the party favors a generational change as senior leaders make way for new candidates.
Vadakara is often considered a socialist bastion, but the UDF won last time and the RJD failed to make significant gains in recent local polls. Does this point to the fragmentation of the socialist vote? Is your support base eroding?
Since the creation of the Vadakara Assembly constituency, the socialist forces have largely maintained their dominance, barring a single victory for the undivided Communist Party. The 2021 result, in which the RMPI won with the support of the UDF, was shaped by specific and unusual circumstances rather than a structural shift in voter sentiment. We see no fragmentation of the socialist vote or erosion of our support base. The ground situation, on the other hand, remains favorable for us. The RJD candidate is a well-known local leader who has served three times as president of Eramala grama panchayat, with a strong people-to-people connection. In the recent three-phase local body elections, we did not face any significant response in the Vadakara region. As in the past, when socialist and communist forces joined forces, we are confident of consolidating our traditional support base and winning back the constituency.
A section of the party called for severing ties with the LDF and aligning with the UDF. Could internal rifts affect your election prospects?
There were some problems in the Kozhikode city unit of the party, but we have already dealt with them. P. Kishan Chandh was expelled from the RJD for anti-party activities, while Sabah Pulpetta, who was initially removed as the office bearer, has since been reinstated. The party faces the parliamentary elections as a united front.
Senior leaders, including state president Shreyams Kumar and former minister KP Mohanan, are not contesting this time. What is the strategy behind this decision?
The decision of the leaders to step aside was voluntary and was aimed at creating space for new candidates. It reflects the party’s efforts to promote younger leaders and facilitate a generational transition within its ranks.
How do you rate the LDF’s prospects in this election?
The LDF has effectively recovered from the setback it experienced in the local polls. The Coalition thoroughly reviewed the reasons for the backlash and has since taken corrective action. While sections of the minority community drifted away from the Left during the local body elections, we are optimistic that they will return to support the LDF in the assembly polls, especially in the larger context of the backlash against the BJP. Despite persistent financial constraints imposed by the Centre, the state government continued to implement key social welfare programs and maintain capital investments that were well received by the public. We are confident that the LDF will secure a third term in office in a row.
