CPI(M) Polit Bureau divided over selection of Pinarayi Vijayan as Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly

New Delhi: The CPI(M) Polit Bureau was divided over Pinarayi Vijayan taking over as Leader of Opposition in Kerala with a section believing that a new and younger face would be beneficial for the party that faced a rout in the Assembly elections, sources said.

An online meeting of the Polit Bureau was convened last Thursday after the State Secretariat suggested only 81-year-old Vijayan's name as Leader of Opposition. The Polit Bureau earlier were of the view that a new leadership should emerge.

The Kerala State Committee and Secretariat convened last week to review the election results, during which discussions were also held on the selection of the Leader of Opposition, with KN Balagopal, a Central Committee member and former Finance Minister, emerging as a leading contender.

Sources said the state Secretariat, however, only suggested Vijayan's name though the deliberations in the State Committee witnessed criticism of the Vijayan-led government and the party leadership.

Following this, CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, who was attending the deliberations, called a meeting of the Polit Bureau to discuss the State Secretariat's proposal.

In the meeting, sources said ten members, including Baby, Mohd Saleem, Tapan Sen and Kerala Secretary MV Govindan supported Vijayan while seven leaders, including BV Raghavulu, Ashok Dhawle and Vijoo Krishnan, opposed it. Vijayan was later announced as the Leader of the Opposition.

Sources said many were of the view that the status quo should continue while others referred to how Congress had gone ahead with public opinion while the CPI(M) is seen as turning its face against it. They argued that the party cannot ignore public perception.

When asked about the discussions on Vijayan, a senior CPI(M) leader said, “these are not divisions. These are honest opinions expressed by leaders. Some felt Vijayan is apt while others did not share that view. Majority view prevails.”

Sources said the decision to continue with Vijayan came as the majority felt that removing Vijayan could be seen as accepting the claims of the Congress. They also felt that Vijayan would be a strong counter to the Congress-led government.

Sources had earlier said that the party was aware of the anti-incumbency against Vijayan and the issue had cropped up during the campaign stage itself.

The CPI(M) follows an age limit of 75 years for its leaders contesting elections as well as for their membership in committees. Vijayan was given relaxation to remain in the Polit Bureau owing to his position as Chief Minister as well as to contest the election this time.