A recent two-day meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in Pathanamthitta district has led to sharp criticism of the Global Ayyappa Meet, which was deemed a significant political misstep. Party members contended that the event, intended as a counter to allegations against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government following the Sabarimala gold smuggling controversy, instead exacerbated political damage and contributed to electoral setbacks in the district. Concerns were raised regarding the leadership's inaction against A. Padmakumar, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, who is implicated in the gold smuggling case. Delegates expressed frustration over the state leadership's stance that action could only be taken after a chargesheet was filed, arguing it failed to reassure both party workers and the public. Furthermore, the event's optics were criticized for focusing on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's images rather than on Lord Ayyappa, along with the inclusion of greetings from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which delegates felt created adverse political messaging. The Kerala Congress (M), an ally of CPI(M), also pointed out that the delay in addressing Padmakumar's situation was a factor in their electoral defeat in Ranni constituency.