‘We’re That Stupid…’: US Policy Expert Lauds India For Ousting Communists, Slams American Voters

Last Updated:May 06, 2026, 10:25 IST

Kerala had been the last major stronghold of Left governance in the country, and these results signal a significant shift in its political landscape.

Kerala has witnessed a big political change in the recently held assembly elections, bringing an end to Left rule in the state and marking a historic shift in India’s political map. The outcome has triggered a wide-ranging political debate both in India and abroad, after US policy analyst Mark Dubowitz drew a sharp comparison between political trends in India and the United States.

Reacting to the landslide victory of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) over the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the southern state, Dubowitz said that India is decisively moving away from communist politics, while similar ideologies continue to gain ground in parts of the US.

Reacting to the Left’s defeat in Kerala, which ended nearly six decades of Communist-led state governance in India, Dubowitz said in a post on X, “India is throwing out Communists from power as America is electing them to govern their cities, states, and as members of Congress. Yes, we’re that stupid."

The Kerala verdict marks a significant political shift. The UDF’s decisive win has effectively ended the Left’s last remaining state government in India, closing a chapter of nearly six decades of communist influence in state politics. With this result, no Indian state is now governed by a Left party for the first time in almost 60 years.

The setback is particularly notable for the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which saw a steep decline in its seat share. Several senior leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, faced unexpectedly tight contests, with multiple ministers losing their seats.

Kerala had been the last major stronghold of Left governance in the country, and these results signal a significant shift in its political landscape.

The Left’s resilience in Kerala has long rested on its welfare architecture. Subsidies, pensions and targeted schemes have ensured a steady support base, particularly among economically vulnerable groups.

But welfare, once a decisive advantage, is now facing diminishing returns. Voters are no longer satisfied with redistribution alone. Aspirations have shifted towards economic growth, job creation and opportunities beyond state support.

From 59 Lok Sabha seats in 2004, the Left’s tally dropped to 24 in 2009. It fell further to 10 in 2014 and just 5 in 2019.

In 2011, Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) ended the Left Front’s 34-year rule in West Bengal, reducing it from 235 seats in 2006 to just 62.

Tripura followed in 2018, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defeated the Left, sharply reducing its tally. The BJP repeated its victory in 2023, further cementing the shift.

After losing West Bengal and Tripura, Kerala remained the Left’s only major stronghold—the last Communist outpost in the country.

Kerala Assembly Polls

In the April 9 Assembly elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured a decisive victory, winning 102 seats in the 140-member House, while the Left Democratic Front won 35 seats. The BJP won three seats.

With this victory, the 10-year rule of the Left government has also come to an end.

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