Kerala’s Upcoming Assembly Elections Expected to Witness Massive Flow of Money: Dr. T M Thomas Isaac

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s forthcoming assembly elections are expected to witness an unprecedented surge of money in the political arena, Dr. Thomas Isaac, a central committee member of CPI M, has observed in an official Facebook post.

Election strategists, often compared to “Kanagolu” figures who command hefty rewards, are said to be making the key decisions, he noted. He added that most mainstream media outlets have largely been acquired, while social media influencers are being contracted at high fees. Pages and groups are under acquisition, and hoardings are being booked, with cash distribution to voters also set to play a significant role.

Isaac underlined the three “M”s, Money, Management, and Muscle Power, as the main drivers of elections in India. He argued that in Kerala, however, the Left Front cannot be defeated through muscle power, a fact long acknowledged by the RSS. Yet, when it comes to financial resources, the Left cannot match the monetary clout of its opponents, posing a strategic challenge.

To address this, Isaac cited a contemporary example from abroad. He said New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had faced a mainstream media uniformly against him and with limited financial resources. Yet Mamdani succeeded through two strategies: social media engagement and direct interpersonal communication. Tens of thousands of volunteers reached voters face-to-face, a practice that Isaac described as rare in the US.

He underlined that such a method is not unfamiliar in Kerala. For decades, the Left has bypassed anti-Communist mainstream media through personal and family-l evel dialogues. Isaac argued that reviving this tradition will be critical for the upcoming election.

He emphasised that expanding volunteer -based social media networks is now a necessity, given the prohibitive costs of paid campaigns. Two approaches, he explained, have already been initiated. Firstly, leaders ranging from the Party General Secretary to branch secretaries are visiting homes with dedicated squads. Isaac underlined that the purpose is not merely one-way communication, but to share updates while patiently listening to residents’ concerns. He added that detailed policy discussions will take place in family meetings beginning January 22, with structured house visits forming the primary campaign strategy.

Isaac said the programme began on January 15, he observed that while minor local disputes emerged, involving union issues and personal grievances, overall residents expressed satisfaction and respect for the government.

Isaac argued that questions arose on why the LDF did not win, with responses varying widely. He said that at a convention, participants initially resolved not to discuss politics, but a few candidly shared personal voting stances, citing past abstentions or grievances. Issues ranged from pensions to ration card allocation and municipal bills. Isaac underlined that volunteers assured residents of follow-ups and clarifications.

He acknowledged that problems exist for everyone and that many grievances remain unresolved at the panchayat level. However, he argued that most are addressable through local intervention. Follow-up visits to households are planned, extending beyond the January 22 schedule, with additional rounds expected.