Alappuzha: The CPI state conference held in Alappuzha on Friday elected Binoy Viswam as the state secretary. He had assumed charge in December 2023 following the demise of Kanam Rajendran. Viswam is also a member of the CPI central secretariat and the working president of AITUC.

No leaders came forward to contest for the secretary position, and the election was held on Friday afternoon. Before the secretary’s election, district delegations met in the morning to choose members for the state council, which saw manoeuvres and arguments over representation. 

Though delegates strongly criticised the state leadership during the conference, there were no signs of an organised move against Binoy. Neither the faction supporting K E Ismail nor those backing K Prakash Babu put forward alternative candidates. Tensions, however, rose after sharp criticism was directed at him during the discussion on the organisational report, which concluded late on Thursday night.

In his speech, Binoy Viswam said he was willing to correct mistakes and was not rigid on matters. He admitted that the defeat in Thrissur was a major setback and stressed that lapses in vigilance must be examined.

Meanwhile, demands were raised for stricter disciplinary action against senior leader Ismail, a known critic of Binoy. National executive committee member K Prakash Babu defended the state leadership during the political report discussion.

“We will not shut the door on K E Ismail, but that doesn’t mean letting him in either. Along with Ismail, Pannyan Raveendran and C Divakaran had also stepped aside earlier, but they are still with us. Ismail is different; he continues to blame the party. He is not fit to sit on the stage. It was not Ismail alone who built the party – many leaders have shed their blood for it. If Ismail corrects his mistakes, the door will open. Otherwise, there will be no reconciliation,” Binoy Viswam said.

After the state council and secretary were chosen on Friday, the council will meet after the party congress to decide on assistant secretaries and the executive committee. Around ten leaders, including current assistant secretary E Chandrasekharan, will step down as they have crossed the age limit of 75.