Ideology, Identity and Electoral Politics

Kerala stands as India's unique political laboratory where Left politics maintains dominance while the BJP struggles for relevance. This comprehensive analysis examines the evolving electoral dynamics, ideological shifts, and identity politics reshaping Kerala's political landscape in the 21st century. Drawing on extensive survey data from the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and empirical analysis of electoral patterns since 2000, the authors reveal how Kerala's traditional bipolar politics between the Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front faces unprecedented challenges. The book explores the declining influence of ideological mobilization, the rise of pragmatic coalition politics, and the complex interplay of caste, class, and religious identities in electoral outcomes. With the BJP emerging as a potential third force and traditional political boundaries blurring, Kerala's political future hangs in the balance.This authoritative study will be essential reading for political scientists, researchers in South Asian studies, students of electoral politics, and policymakers interested in understanding democratic transitions in India's most politically conscious state. The book provides crucial insights for courses on Indian politics, comparative electoral systems, and regional political studies.