Pinarayi Vijayan named Opposition leader; decision taken at CPM state committee

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM has selected veteran leader Pinarayi Vijayan as the Opposition Leader in the Kerala Assembly. The decision was taken at the party's state committee. This is the first time Pinarayi Vijayan is taking up the role of Opposition Leader. According to the party sources, Pinarayi was named the Opposition Leader as the party felt the Opposition bench, which has only 35 members, needs strong leadership.

The 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly will also witness a unique political change. While V D Satheesan, who was the Opposition leader in the previous Assembly, is taking oath as Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, who was the Chief Minister, is becoming the Opposition leader. Pinarayi Vijayan had led both the party and the LDF during the Assembly election campaign. The leadership was confident of returning to power for a third term, but the alliance suffered a major setback in the election.

In light of the setback faced by the party and the coalition, the CPM decided that Pinarayi Vijayan should lead the opposition. The position of the Leader of the Opposition is the only post within the opposition ranks that holds cabinet rank. Only four members of the CPM state secretariat have been elected to the legislative assembly this time. Mohammed Riyas, Saji Cherian and KN Balagopal are the other three.

The CPM state committee also assessed that, in the current difficult political situation, Pinarayi Vijayan’s experience and leadership would benefit the alliance. With the BJP having three MLAs in the Assembly, the committee felt that Pinarayi would be the best person to lead a strong Opposition.