CPI-CPI(M) war of words intensifies; LDF rift widens over Opposition deputy post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The standoff over the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition has intensified within the LDF, with the issue now turning into an open war of words. CPI Assistant Secretary Sathyan Mokeri criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in an article published in the party mouthpiece, saying that an attitude of “everything is decided by me” was not right. CPM leader V Sivankutty, meanwhile, hit back at the CPI, saying the party had a tradition of joining hands with the Congress for the sake of positions.

In an alliance comprising multiple political parties, an attitude that “everything is decided by me” does not help collective functioning, Mokeri said. The issue of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is a political matter and cannot be decided by the Leader of the Opposition on his own. Attempts should not be made to bring the Leader of the Opposition’s likes and dislikes into left-wing politics, Mokeri said in the article, titled “Collective leadership is the essence of the LDF”.

Sivankutty’s sharp criticism of the CPI followed the article. He alleged that the CPI had violated political decorum through the article and said it amounted to an insulting approach towards the Leader of the Opposition. Pinarayi’s position was democratic, Sivankutty said, adding that the decision had been taken considering the practical political circumstances.

The CPM leadership had initially decided not to respond to CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam. However, Sivankutty’s reaction indicates that the position changed after an article criticising Pinarayi Vijayan appeared in Janayugom. Viswam had informed CPM general secretary M A Baby about his dissatisfaction with Pinarayi’s statement.