Is Pinarayi era ending in CPM? New group emerging with backing of senior leaders

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Is Pinarayi Vijayan's infallibility in the CPM coming to an end? Reports say that following the party's poll debacle in the assembly elections, a new faction has emerged within the CPM, opposing both Pinarayi Vijayan and party state secretary M V Govindan.

The new group is reportedly backed by CPM general secretary M A Baby. The new group is formed by strongly criticizing and questioning the stands and working patterns of both Pinarayi and Govindan. It is pointed that Pinarayi's stands are even being challenged in the assembly. Although internal differences have existed for some time, they have largely remained behind closed doors.

Leaders including P Rajeev, M Swaraj and K N Balagopal are reportedly being heard at the forefront of the emerging faction. It is also said to enjoy the support of several senior leaders, particularly from Kannur. According to political observers, many party workers have complained that certain leaders showed unnecessary rigidity during candidate selection for the assembly elections, contributing to defeats and reduced victory margins even in traditional strongholds.

Critics within the party argue that Pinarayi Vijayan's perceived arrogance during the election campaign and the impression that he considered himself above criticism also contributed to the electoral setback. They insist their opposition is not against the party itself, but against attempts to concentrate power in the hands of a few individuals.
Although the state secretary had promised after the election defeat to hear the concerns of party workers at every level and address them, dissatisfied members claim that neither happened. They argue that the leadership ignored the feedback it received and that attributing the defeat solely to organizational weaknesses, rather than leadership failures, reflects an unwillingness to accept responsibility.

According to the report, the emerging faction has the support of a section of senior leaders as well as significant backing from the party rank and file. As a result, political observers believe changes in the party's power structure may not be far away. Many also argue that since the era of V S Achuthanandan, the absence of a strong internal voice capable of challenging the leadership has contributed to the party's current crisis.