THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Open dissent has erupted within the CPI(M) leadership over Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement attributing the recent election defeat to the voters rather than party lapses. Senior leader and former Finance Minister Dr. T.M. Thomas Isaac directly challenged Vijayan’s stance, signaling a growing rift within the party’s top brass.
Speaking at a party event in Alappuzha, Isaac termed the election defeat a “shock treatment” delivered by the public and called for deep self-introspection. He openly criticized the leadership, stating that 10 years in power had led to arrogance among certain cadres, while issues like cooperative bank scams, flawed candidate selection, and uncalculated public statements further eroded public trust.
Isaac’s public outburst is viewed as a strategic move to prevent the Kannur faction from downplaying the election failure at the upcoming extended State Committee meeting in Kozhikode scheduled for September 13–15. Meanwhile, the state secretariat meeting concluding in Thiruvananthapuram today is expected to witness intense debates over Vijayan’s unilateral decision-making, including the ongoing tussle with the CPI regarding the Deputy Leader of Opposition post.
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