CPM Defends Vijayan: Defeat Is Collective, Not The Leader's Alone
CPM Defends Vijayan: Defeat Is Collective, Not The Leader's Alone
As Kerala and West Bengal vote tallies are analysed, CPM leaders emphasize collective responsibility, pledging self-criticism and reforms while weighing future leadership moves.
The CPM’s leadership is stressing that the party’s defeat in recent elections was a collective responsibility, not the fault of one individual. MA Baby, the party's general secretary in waiting, defended Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and called for self-criticism and corrective measures across the leadership while warning against the rise of right-wing forces and the BJP’s gains in Kerala.
The CPI(M) Politburo’s two-day meeting in Delhi focused on analyzing defeats in Kerala and West Bengal. Kerala’s results showed the LDF winning 35 of 140 seats, while Bengal yielded just a single seat out of 294. The discussions also touched on whether Vijayan should assume the post of Leader of Opposition, with his reply reportedly being, “Ask the general secretary.” The party is planning a thorough review from the branch to the district level in May and June, inviting leaders and workers to air grievances.
A key debate at the gathering was the deputy Leader of Opposition post. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reiterated that the CPI is entitled to the deputy LoP post in the Assembly, even as the CPI(M) appeared to suggest it might not be technically feasible. Alongside this, there was attention on how the Kerala unit handled protests by ASHA workers, which had highlighted public discontent. The overall aim is to rebuild the party’s vote base and address minority trust as part of the introspective process.
Observers say the internal review signals a cautious but necessary path forward for the Left, as it seeks to balance internal reform with a strategy to regain public trust ahead of future elections.
