Thiruvananthapuram, June 3 (IANS) The dispute over the post of Deputy Leader of Opposition in Kerala has once again exposed the uneasy equation between the CPI(M) and CPI, the second-largest constituent of the Left Democratic Front, bringing back memories of earlier occasions when the smaller ally had a few times challenged the dominant party during the decade-long rule of Pinarayi Vijayan.

A bilateral meeting between CPI(M) and CPI state secretaries on Wednesday ended without a solution, deepening the crisis over the Deputy Opposition Leader’s post.

The CPI is now exploring options, including sitting as a separate block in the Assembly, though efforts for a compromise are expected to continue.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam had made it clear that the party expected the post and faced internal pressure not to compromise with the CPI(M).

However, the CPI(M) leadership conveyed that it was not in a position to concede the demand.

The CPI has argued that the importance given to the party within the LDF should be reflected in Assembly arrangements.

“The CPI stands with the LDF’s future. The CPI(M) should also show the same approach,” Viswam said after the failed talks.

The latest confrontation is being viewed against the backdrop of a series of differences between the two parties during Vijayan’s two terms in office.

During the first Vijayan government (2016-2021), the CPI’s four ministers had boycotted a weekly Cabinet meeting as a mark of protest, an unusual public display of disagreement within the ruling front.

In the second Vijayan government, the CPI had strongly opposed the implementation of the PM-SHRI programme, alleging that the initiative would affect the principles of public education.

The dispute escalated to such an extent that the state government informed the Centre that Kerala was withdrawing from the programme despite having earlier signed an agreement for its implementation.

The current standoff over the Deputy Opposition Leader’s post is therefore being seen as another test of the relationship between the two Left parties.

While the CPI(M) has dominated the LDF’s political strategy and government functioning under Vijayan, the CPI has repeatedly asserted its separate identity and ideological space within the alliance.

State CPI-M secretary M.V. Govindan said over the years it was the CPI-M which held both the posts, and recalled when V.S. Achuthanandan was the leader of the opposition, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was the deputy leader.

With the Assembly session approaching and no immediate breakthrough emerging, the leadership of both parties faces the challenge of resolving the issue without allowing it to grow into a larger crisis within the Left front.

–IANS

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