Thiruvananthapuram, June 18 (IANS) The Communist movement in Kerala, long known for its disciplined cadre structure and centralised leadership, is witnessing unusual internal turbulence, with top leaders of both the CPI and CPI(M) facing sharp criticism from within party ranks following the recent electoral setback.

The ongoing CPI state council meeting has turned into a platform for open criticism against state secretary Binoy Viswam, with party members questioning both his political approach and the functioning of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The developments come close on the heels of similar dissent faced by CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan, indicating a wider discontent among Communist cadres over the leadership’s handling of the party and the government.

The criticism against Viswam centered around the CPI’s role in the election defeat, its inability to counter the anti-incumbency wave, and the perception that the party failed to act as an independent force within the alliance.

Some members reportedly questioned the state secretary’s frequent public reactions, arguing that the party needed a more restrained and politically calibrated approach.

The more significant message emerging from the CPI council is the anger against the style of functioning of the Left leadership. Members pointed out that the campaign around former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s image and the emphasis on a single leader weakened the collective character of the Communist movement.

The CPI contested 25 seats and could win just 8, while the total Left strength declined from 99 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly to just 35.

The criticism reflects a familiar pattern in Communist parties: when power remains intact, leadership enjoys unquestioned authority, but electoral defeats often bring long-suppressed grievances to the surface.

The present crisis appears to have opened a window for cadres to question decisions that were earlier accepted without much resistance.

In the CPI(M), Govindan has also faced criticism from sections of the party over organisational weaknesses, candidate selection, and the government’s disconnect with sections of traditional Left supporters.

The criticism against both the CPI and CPI(M) leadership points to a growing concern that the Left’s traditional organisational machinery may be losing its connect with the people.

Issues ranging from government employees’ dissatisfaction over the pension scheme to farmers’ concerns, traditional sector crises, and minority voters moving away from the alliance have been cited as reasons behind the defeat.

As the CPI(M)-CPI relationship enters a difficult phase, the coming days could test whether the Left leadership can contain internal unrest or whether the post-defeat anger will turn into a deeper ideological and organisational crisis.

–IANS

sg/skp