Kerala's Public Works Department Minister, P A Mohamed Riyas, has expressed strong confidence in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's prospects in the upcoming state assembly elections. He firmly dismissed any notion of a significant anti-incumbency wave working against the government.
Cabinet's Optimistic Assessment
The minister revealed that a special cabinet meeting held on Wednesday conducted a thorough review of the political landscape. The collective assessment from that meeting was notably bullish. The LDF is projected to secure as many as 110 seats in the next assembly, a target Riyas stated is "well within reach." This figure includes seats the front currently holds and those it believes can be wrested from the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF).
Addressing the media in Kozhikode on Thursday, Riyas argued that the political situation would have been far more adverse if a genuine anti-incumbency sentiment was prevalent. He pointed to the results of the recent local body elections as evidence, stating that the UDF failed to secure any significant lead in those polls, indicating a lack of massive public swing against the incumbent government.
Communication, Not Performance, is the Key Challenge
Minister Riyas countered the assumption that the public does not appreciate the government's development and welfare initiatives. He suggested that the potential gap lies not in the work done but in how it is communicated to the people. "What needs to be examined is whether there have been shortcomings in effectively communicating the govt's achievements to the people," he said.
He elaborated that if this communication challenge is addressed using methods suited to the present times, the LDF stands to gain significant electoral benefits. This statement hints at a potential strategy shift towards more aggressive and modern outreach campaigns in the run-up to the elections.
A Strong and Stable Vote Base
Riyas emphasized the resilience of the LDF's core support. He noted that the front's minimum seat count in past elections has been 68, underscoring a solid and reliable vote base. He further argued that voting patterns in assembly elections traditionally favour the LDF.
The minister concluded by stating that the people of Kerala prefer a state government that ensures a society free from communal polarisation, communal clashes, and corruption—a pitch positioning the LDF as the guardian of secular and clean governance. This confident outlook sets the stage for a highly competitive electoral battle in Kerala.
