Actor Vinayakan’s ‘Welcome Back’ post for Bineesh Kodiyeri sparks social media buzz

A Facebook post by popular actor Vinayakan welcoming Bineesh Kodiyeri back into the CPI(M) fold has gone viral, turning the spotlight on a major political development. Vinayakan’s social media update came immediately after news broke that the party had renewed Bineesh's membership following a three-year hiatus.

The actor shared a photograph of Binesh—posed against a background image of his late father and former CPI(M) State Secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Accompanying the picture was the brief but resonant caption: "Welcome back comrade." The post has rapidly triggered widespread discussion across social media platforms, drawing sharp attention from both the entertainment industry and political circles.

The wave of social media attention stems from the long-standing controversy surrounding Bineesh's party standing. The CPI(M) had suspended his membership three years ago following allegations linking him to a high-profile narcotics case. Though the courts acquitted Bineesh of all charges in 2023, his path back into the party was far from smooth. Bineesh reportedly applied for reinstatement four times, but the CPI(M) state leadership firmly blocked his return each time due to the sensitivity of the initial controversy.

What is making Vinayakan’s viral post even more intensely discussed is the dramatic behind-the-scenes political intervention that led to it. Reports indicate that the deadlock was only broken when senior party veteran and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan personally stepped in to override the state leadership's strict stance, ultimately clearing the path for the membership renewal that sparked Vinayakan's viral welcome.