Alappuzha: There are indications that the LDF government in Kerala could face severe criticism at the ongoing state conference of the CPI, a major ally of the front. The CPI leadership will respond to the complaints raised by the delegates during the closing ceremony of the conference which is being held in Alappuzha. If the attacks on the government witnessed in the district conferences are echoed at the state meet, the leadership may struggle to present its reply.

The emotions expressed by delegates at the state meeting of the CPI, the second-largest party in the ruling front, could also impact the imminent local body elections in the state. Considering this possibility, the working report to be presented by the party’s state secretary, Binoy Viswam, has toned down criticism of the government.

Incidentally, the district meet in Kollam, which has the highest number of party members in the country, went so far as to predict a defeat for the LDF in the upcoming Assembly elections. The Kollam district unit also cautioned people not to be misled by CPM social media handles, which claimed the government was on course for a third term.

The key allegations raised by delegates in Kollam were that the second LDF ministry was a total failure, and that the ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ conducted by the Chief Minister and ministers only served to alienate people. They remarked that the only takeaway from the ‘Sadas’ was that a helmet could be used as a weapon. However, Binoy Viswam left the Kollam conference without responding to these charges.

Various district conferences also witnessed severe criticism not only against CPI ministers but also against the finance and health portfolios held by the CPM, as well as the Forest Ministry, which is under the NCP. Speakers at these meetings targeted present CPI ministers, unfavourably comparing them with past stalwarts of the party, such as V V Raghavan and E Chandrasekharan Nair.

The leadership’s response at the state conference to criticism of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, particularly on the issue of rampant custodial torture, is also eagerly awaited.

Meanwhile, the working report to be presented by Binoy Viswam states that ADGP M R Ajith Kumar, who faced allegations of sabotaging the Thrissur Pooram festival, was removed from law and order duties following the intervention of the CPI. Incidentally, some speakers at the party’s state executive meeting, convened to approve the working report, had directly blamed Ajith Kumar for the Pooram fiasco. However, the report to be presented is unlikely to reflect such strong views.

Referring to persisting controversies in universities and the higher education sector, the report urged the government to exercise greater caution. It also attacked the Governor, alleging that he was misusing his Constitutional position to create communal divisions in society.

The CPI further stated that the party could make significant gains in the Mavelikara seat during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite its loss there. It noted that, as a norm, voters in Kerala have backed the UDF in Parliament elections, but the LDF’s political base remains intact.

Binoy Viswam’s response
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the party had “surrendered” to the CPM, asserting that no compromise had been made and that all issues concerning the Left Democratic Front (LDF) were raised at the appropriate forums.

Presenting the political report at the CPI state conference, Viswam said the party stood firm on its positions despite supporting the LDF’s bid for a third consecutive Assembly term. He clarified that electoral goals had not come at the cost of ideological concessions.

However, his presentation drew mixed responses. While he spent considerable time on the political report, delegates noted that he rushed through the working report. Several argued that Viswam had not fulfilled assurances previously given to the state council and that contemporary issues were inadequately reflected. Some felt that concerns about party structure should have been addressed more prominently.

Viswam countered that objections could be raised orally during presentations and need not be recorded. In the working report, he urged members not to blame branch secretaries alone for possible local body poll defeats, stressing that state council members were equally responsible. He also acknowledged the need to address declining youth membership.

National council member K Prakash Babu will respond to the political report on Thursday, while Viswam will reply to the discussion on the working report on Friday. A new 100-member state council will then be formed, with 15 members nominated by the party centre.

The working report also highlighted concerns over the BJP’s rising vote share in Kerala, citing its victory in Thrissur during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Delegates were urged to intensify grassroots outreach to win back alienated groups. Meanwhile, CPI’s youth wing, AIYF, reported enrolling 4,44,612 new members over the past three years.