CPI hardens its stance on Deputy Leader of the Opposition post in Kerala Assembly
The differences between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] over the former’s claim for the post of
The differences between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] over the former’s claim for the post of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly appears to be far from settled with CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam saying that the post is a prerequisite for unity within the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The CPI’s hardening of its stance on the issue comes ahead of a meeting of the CPI and CPI(M) in the presence of LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan on Tuesday (July 14, 2026).
‘Precedents have to change’ Speaking at a CPI event in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Viswam also responded directly to Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan’s assertion that the issue is closed and that there is no such precedent for giving the post of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to the alliance partner. “No one can avoid this issue by citing any precedent. All such precedents have to change. Politics is bigger than precedents, LDF is bigger than precedents. Going ahead unitedly is bigger than anything else,” he said. Viswam, who said that the position rightfully belongs to the CPI, called for a change to the situation where all posts and positions go to one party.
“We are not raising this demand to weaken the LDF. Rather, it is intended to strengthen the LDF. This has to be done for the LDF to remain as it is. Sharing is important for unity. Even the power or salary associated with the post does not matter. CPI is a party which has even given up the CM post,” he said. He also rejected the allegation that the CPI is wrong to raise the issue openly to give fuel to its opponents. “Initially, we did not raise this openly. We raised it in meetings.
There were letters from us and there were replies from the CPI(M),” the CPI leader said. After the LDF’s massive defeat in the Assembly elections, the CPI has been critical of its alliance partner, calling the defeat as a warning issued by the people. The CPI leadership meetings have been strongly critical of the way focus was placed on Pinarayi Vijayan as well as his style of functioning as Chief Minister.
The BriefWire