Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, who has persistently snubbed CPI's demand for the post of Deputy Leader of Opposition with disdain, was at it again on Saturday. He subjected his party's ally to yet another round of ridicule, prompting sharp rebuke from CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam. When asked about the Deputy post, Pinarayi Vijayan said it only required him to send a letter to the Speaker.

"I am the one supposed to write the letter, and once it is given to the Speaker, the Deputy Leader of Opposition will be announced," he said in a dismissive manner. Finally, he said something that piled on CPI's humiliation. "There is no doubt over whose name will be included in the letter. It will be of a CPM leader," Pinarayi said.

In the last three months, it was not the first time that Pinarayi casually brushed aside CPI's demand. This time, it stung Binoy Vishwam even deeper. Yet, he tried to balance restraint with reaction, which seemed overdue.

"I can't believe someone like Pinarayi Vijayan will react in this manner. If he did, it doesn't suit his political maturity and the post he holds. To air unilateral views on a matter of contention, which is under discussion, is something that goes against the culture of the LDF," he said.

Like an afterthought, mustering his composure, the CPI leader said. "I am saying this with all humility". When prodded again, he sounded like someone who is fast running out of patience. "No leader has the right to fix the price of CPI's prestige. That right belongs only to the CPI itself and the people".

Binoy Viswam also implied that the manner in which Pinarayi responds to CPI's demand gives an impression that he alone owns the right to decide. "These matters of differences are settled over bilateral meetings," Binoy Viswam said.

Dissent within the LDF has been simmering over CPI's demand for the past three months. LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan had held talks with the CPI leaders at MN Smarakam apparently to placate the feelings. The meeting went in vain as the CPI stuck with the demand. Pinarayi, on the other end, has adamantly held that there was no convention in the past which gives the CPI the right to stake claim for the Deputy post.

The CPI secretariat has also held that backing away from the demand would reflect poorly on the party. The LDF meeting, which was held recently, however, did not discuss this issue.

During the LDF tenure, Pinarayi was forced to make amends following CPI's demands. In 2020, the LDF government withdrew a controversial amendment to the Kerala Police Act, following internal pressure from the CPI. It was owing to CPI's displeasure that the previous government felt persuaded to put the MoU of the PM-SHRI scheme on hold. The CPI had also forced the resignation of then Transport Minister Thomas Chandy in 2017 following alleged violation of land laws.