Kerala CPM admits lapses in polls

Says anti-incumbency played a crucial role in LDF's defeat, will take corrective measures

FINDING itself pushed to the wall after the terrible drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections, the CPM, in an uncharacteristic move, publicly admitted that the party failed to effectively gauge the people's sentiment.

In a curious shift in its style of functioning, the party said it's willing to listen to the public. However, the leadership maintained silence over the severe flak Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan drew at the state panel meet.

The CPM's five-day summit that reviewed the poll outcome decided to chart out an elaborate course correction, including setting of priorities for the LDF government. The party felt that the government should act in a manner that would not alienate the masses and erode its mass base.