'CPI reduced to mere spectators within LDF and government, departments fail miserably'; delegates slam party leadership and ministers at district conference

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI’s Thiruvananthapuram district conference witnessed severe criticism directed at the party leadership and its ministers, with delegates openly expressing dissatisfaction over the party’s performance both within the LDF and the state government. Delegates accused the CPI of failing to act as a corrective force in the Left alliance and claimed the party has lost its earlier stance and relevance.

They also noted that even CPI ministers now refer to the government as the "Pinarayi government" rather than the "LDF government," indicating a growing dominance of the Chief Minister and the CPM. The functioning of CPI-led departments has reportedly been hindered due to the policies of the Finance Department. Delegates alleged that the government has failed to control inflation even during the festive Onam season, and that basic commodities are not being made available at subsidised rates. The CPI and its ministers, they said, are being unfairly blamed while the CPM minister responsible for fund allocation remains indifferent.

Minister Chinchu Rani’s response to the recent electrocution death of a school student in Kollam was also criticised. The decision to involve retired revenue officials in the state’s digital survey was termed inappropriate. Concerns were also raised over CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam’s inconsistent statements, with delegates accusing him of changing his stance frequently. They also pointed out that when he criticises the CPM, only party loyalists respond on its behalf.

The conference also linked the CPI’s loss in Thrissur to the police mishandling of the Pooram festival, allegedly under the watch of ADGP Ajith Kumar. Delegates expressed disappointment that the party could not even field a candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency.

Mocking the INDIA bloc, delegates highlighted the irony of CPI leader D. Raja standing beside Rahul Gandhi in North India, while in Kerala, Raja’s wife is contesting against Rahul’s sister, Priyanka Gandhi. They further criticised the selective implementation of the party’s age-limit rule, claiming it was used in Kerala to sideline veteran leaders like C. Divakaran and K.E. Ismail. The criticism came during discussions on the political report presented at the conference. Deliberations on the activity report are scheduled for today, followed by the election of a new district secretary and council.