'Pinarayi model led to LDF's downfall'; No-holds-barred criticism against 'captain' in CPM, CPI secretariats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came under flak for LDF's humiliating defeat in the assembly elections. Various leaders at the CPM and CPI leadership meetings held to assess the reasons for the defeat sharply criticised the touted Pinarayi model. Many suggested that the embarrassing defeat was invited by the actions of the policies taken by Pinarayi Vijayan.

The candidate selection and organisational lapses were blamed. The rhetoric used by Pinarayi Vijayan during campaigning was deemed to have led to a major setback. Left party colleague Sebastian Paul told the media that the election result was a verdict against Pinarayi. Sebastian Paul accused the Chief Minister of being a dictator in the party and blamed that his tone was ill-fitting of a good statesman. Some cadres openly and secretly expressed similar responses in the leadership meetings of both parties. General Secretary M.A. Baby also attended the CPM secretariat meeting. Criticism was fierce in the CPI secretariat and executive committee. There was an opinion in the CPI that Pinarayi should not take over the opposition leadership position.

CPM meeting admitted their failure in assessing the pulse among the voters. There were mistakes in the selection of candidates. The mistakes that occurred in Kannur could not be resolved. Many hesitated to express their opinions openly for fear of organisational action.

More from the meeting:

The Chief Minister's approach towards community leaders alienated minorities.

The Chief Minister's incendiary rhetoric and other nasty remarks during the campaign backfired.

The suppression of opposing voices in the CPM also led to a backlash.

The party leadership is solely responsible for the lapse in the selection of candidates in the CPI.

CPI Rajya Sabha member P. Santosh Kumar called the defeat shameful. He added in an interview given to a news agency that a new face should replace Pinarayi.