Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Sunday dismissed the possibility of an anti-incumbency wave against Pinarayi Vijayan govt, adding that LDF would sweep back to power for the third time, winning over 90 seats.Addressing a news conference after the CPM state secretariat meeting in the state capital, Govindan said LDF was able to put up a strong political fight and would retain power with the massive public support, especially the working class. Govindan said the increase in polling percentage was the result of special intensive revision (SIR), which saw the number of voters coming down. “While polling percentage has gone up and crossed 78% as per election commission statistics, the number of voters in at least 94 constituencies has come down. The highest deletion of voters was reported in Thiruvananthapuram constituency where the number of voters has come down by over 47,000. Also, the polling percentage in 71 constituencies was lower, compared to 2021,” he said.“If 2.09 crore persons voted in 2021 elections, the numbers have come down to 2.08 crore in 2026. It means that the number of people, who used their franchise in this election, was lower, despite the spike in the polling percentage,” said Govindan, adding that UDF leaders’ claims about winning over 100 seats and unseating LDF govt was nothing but rhetoric without any basis.Govindan said LDF and CPM received accurate public feedback during squad work and the feedback underscored CPM’s understanding that there could be no anti-incumbency that could oust LDF from power. He said there was no regret in LDF circles over the front projecting chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the face of the campaign.He said none of the former CPM functionaries who fought against party candidates in the election would taste victory. BJP won’t win any seats, including in Nemom, in this election, he said. All sitting LDF MLAs will be re-elected, he asserted.The CPM state secretary said opposition leader V D Satheesan needn’t stick to his statement that he would opt for political hibernation if UDF didn’t come to power. “Such statements are common and they need not be taken seriously. I would say he should continue to work as a UDF leader after the election,” Govindan said. He justified CPM’s support to the controversial marriage of Kumbh mela-fame girl with a Maharashtra native. “We support interreligious marriages. The age-related details were verified by police, temple authorities and LSGI officials,” he added.
