CPM to counter allegations over BJP nexus

Kochi: CPM will launch a campaign to counter the allegations levelled by the UDF that LDF and BJP have arrived at a secret alliance in the state assembly polls. According to the CPM leadership, Kerala is the only state where the growth of the BJP is almost stagnant since 2016, and the fact indirectly attests that the LDF could arrest the growth of the saffron party in the state. In 2016, the BJP's vote share was around 11%, and the party's vote share in the 2025 local body elections was 14.76%. Campaigners, including the chief minister, will underline this point in their campaign speeches in the coming days. "The UDF is making unfounded allegations that the LDF and BJP have a secret understanding in certain seats like Palakkad. They are trying to make mileage out of such false allegations. In fact, the BJP couldn't make any significant growth in Kerala in the past one decade. So, our key campaigners will be elaborating these aspects in the campaigns in the coming days," a source with the CPM said. "It is a fact that the BJP could gain power in Thiruvananthapuram corporation. Still, that party's total vote share in the corporation is less than that of the LDF. Similarly, the saffron party faced a setback as it lost some of the local bodies where it was in power," he added.The CPM leadership will focus their campaigns on generating a feeling among the public that the policies of the CPM and LDF are the only alternative which can be emulated and implemented in other states. "Despite all their efforts to make inroads into more sections in the state, the saffron party couldn't make significant growth in Kerala so far. It is because of the strong presence of the UDF and LDF. BJP can grow only if one of these two axis powers faces significant erosion in their vote base. As of now, it hasn't happened," said Jacob George, political analyst.