Two factions in CPM: Dissenting voices heard after years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Differences within the CPM have come into the open after former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Central Committee member Thomas Isaac publicly took contrasting positions on the reasons for the party's electoral defeat. Isaac's self-criticism that the party leadership had made mistakes is seen as a direct rejection of Pinarayi Vijayan's position. With Isaac reiterating the same view before the media on Thursday, his strong disagreement with the party leadership has become more evident.

Since V.S. Achuthanandan's withdrawal from active politics, there has been little open dissent within the CPM over Pinarayi Vijayan's decisions.

Pinarayi Vijayan had said that party workers who defeated the CPM in the Payyannur and Taliparamba constituencies should correct their mistakes. However, while inaugurating the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Vellikunnam West Local Committee office building in Alappuzha, Thomas Isaac described the election result as a "shock treatment" given by the people.

Leaders including P. Rajeeve, M.B. Rajesh and M. Swaraj are among those calling for corrections within the party. Leaders such as P.K. Sreemathy and K.K. Shailaja have also taken the position that the party needs to correct its mistakes.

Those opposing Pinarayi Vijayan and M.V. Govindan are demanding changes in the party's functioning and policies in line with the report approved by the state and central committees. CPM general secretary M.A. Baby is also understood to have extended his support to this group.

C.N. Mohanan and Saji Cherian, meanwhile, maintain that Pinarayi Vijayan's position represents the party line. Though state secretary M.V. Govindan has defended Pinarayi, differences of opinion are also reportedly emerging among leaders in Kannur.

Issues to be raised in broader party forum

The opposing faction is questioning who decided to conduct political explanations in the Payyannur and Taliparamba constituencies. They believe Pinarayi Vijayan's speech could send a message that the party has no intention of changing its policies or positions. The group is planning to raise these issues before the broader party forum, according to sources.