CPI flags ‘one-man show’ charge against Pinarayi, says LDF facing peril

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI State Executive Committee on Monday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of running the government as a ‘one-man show’ and pushing the LDF into an increasingly precarious position.

The meeting also echoed the Opposition’s charge of an undercurrent of cooperation between the CPM and the BJP, with several members citing the compromises made in the PM SHRI scheme as evidence of this alleged understanding. This perceived ‘undercurrent’, coupled with statements by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, which appeared to have been made with the Chief Minister’s tacit approval, had effectively pushed Muslims to the rival camp during the local body elections.

The meeting observed that Vellappally Natesan had virtually emerged as a ‘megaphone’ for the Chief Minister and that both leaders arrived together in the same vehicle for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, an episode that triggered widespread criticism. Despite this, the Chief Minister sought to justify the association, lending credence to the growing perception that the communally divisive statements by Vellappally were made with the Chief Minister’s backing. Members also questioned why neither the Chief Minister nor the CPM had deemed it necessary to correct him.

It described the present style of governance as one in which the Chief Minister takes and implements decisions unilaterally, with little room for discussion either within the CPM or the LDF. Despite repeated demands from the CPI for a shift in the government’s priorities, neither the Chief Minister nor the CPM leadership appears willing to acknowledge the need for course correction. While the CPM and the government eventually withdrew from signing the PM SHRI agreement following opposition from the CPI, the very attempt to proceed with the scheme revealed their true mindset.

Despite the announcement of welfare schemes in large numbers, the electorate did not vote in favour of the government, reflecting clear public discontent. A majority of speakers at the meeting also voiced concern over the growing alienation of minorities.

Noting that the Sabarimala gold theft controversy had inflicted considerable damage on the LDF, the meeting also witnessed severe criticism of the CPM for failing to initiate action against former Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar, who has been arrested in the case.

Several members pointed out that public resentment against LDF-ruled local bodies was reflected in the election results. The ward delimitation exercise, carried out by bureaucrats, adversely affected the CPI in several areas. The move, at the same time, also failed to deliver the expected gains for the CPM.

According to the report presented by CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, the party has largely managed to maintain its position, except in the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam corporations. The CPI State Council meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.