Thiruvananthapuram April 20 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second-largest constituent of Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has struck a cautious note in its post-poll assessment, indicating a likely dip in its Assembly tally.

Elections to the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly were held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.

According to the CPI’s internal review, the party expects to secure around 10 of the 24 seats it contested.

If the projection holds, it would mark a decline of seven seats from its previous performance, an outcome that could alter equations within the ruling coalition.

The assessment has also brought internal strains to the fore.

A section within the party has voiced dissatisfaction with the leadership of state Secretary Binoy Viswam, with murmurs of dissent reportedly building over the past few months.

While the leadership has not publicly acknowledged any rift, party insiders suggest the election outcome could intensify calls for introspection and course correction.

Despite the subdued outlook, the CPI has identified a key positive: all four of its sitting ministers who contested the polls are expected to retain their seats.

This, party leaders believe, could provide a measure of stability and continuity within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, even if the party’s overall footprint in the Assembly shrinks.

Political observers note that a reduced CPI tally may have implications for the long-term political standing of the party within the LDF, though much will ultimately depend on the broader performance of the front.

Of late, the CPI had come under attack at various times during the past one decade of Vijayan’s rule, as on several occasions, they were found to be silent when Vijayan was running the show, but the party stood its ground on key issues. They successfully managed to put pressure for a withdrawal after the Kerala government inked the PM-SHRI programme,

With the counting day approaching, the CPI leadership is expected to balance damage control with internal consolidation, even as it awaits the final verdict from the electorate.

–IANS

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