Left loses relevance in Indian politics

With the defeat of the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala, the last bastion of the Left bloc in India is also gone.

- ASHOK TUTEJA

For the first time in five decades, the country will not have any chief minister representing the Left parties.

Kerala was the last stronghold of the Communist parties in the country after they lost power in West Bengal and Tripura.

Before the recent Assembly elections in Kerala, there were expectations among the Communists that Pinarayi Vijayan will somehow succeed in scraping through and retaining power, notwithstanding the stiff challenge from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

However, that was not to be, clearly reflecting the shrinking base of the Communists even in their bastions.