Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Vijayan Rejects CPI Deputy Leader Demand, Criticizes UDF Government
Pinarayi Vijayan said the deputy leader in Kerala’s Assembly should be from his party, the CPI(M).
The CPI, another party in the opposition alliance, had asked for the position.
Vijayan said he would recommend a CPI(M) leader to the Speaker.
He also said food prices had risen sharply before the Onam festival.
He blamed the UDF government for not doing enough to help people.
He said earlier programs involving Supplyco, ration shops and Horticorp had been more effective.
Vijayan also questioned the government’s borrowing and financial decisions.
Finally, he criticized the governor and said the UDF should oppose what he described as unconstitutional actions.
Pinarayi Vijayan said the Kerala Assembly deputy leader’s post would go to a CPI(M) leader.
He said the CPI would eventually accept the decision despite repeatedly demanding the post.
Vijayan accused the UDF government of failing to control rising essential-commodity prices during Onam.
He alleged rice prices had risen by more than Rs 15 per kilogram and said market intervention had weakened.
Vijayan called Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s actions unconstitutional and criticized the UDF’s response.
- Who
- Pinarayi Vijayan, the CPI, the CPI(M), the UDF government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
- What
- Vijayan rejected the CPI’s demand for the Kerala Assembly deputy leader’s post and criticized the government over prices, finances and the governor’s actions.
- When
- Saturday, August 22; the price concerns related to the Onam season.
- Where
- Thrissur, Kerala.
- Why
- Vijayan said the post would be assigned to a CPI(M) leader and raised the other issues to criticize the UDF government’s policies and conduct.
Vijayan and CPI(M) position
CPI and UDF-related positions
Deputy leader appointment
Vijayan and CPI(M) position
Vijayan said the Assembly deputy leader would be a CPI(M) leader and that the CPI would eventually be convinced.
CPI and UDF-related positions
The CPI has repeatedly demanded that it receive the deputy leader’s post.
Essential-commodity prices
Vijayan and CPI(M) position
Vijayan alleged that the UDF government failed to control inflation and that earlier market-intervention systems had become ineffective.
CPI and UDF-related positions
The article reports Vijayan’s allegations but does not provide the UDF government’s response.
Borrowing and finances
Vijayan and CPI(M) position
Vijayan said the LDF had increased tax revenue through financial management and questioned whether the current government was borrowing for the same reasons previously criticized.
CPI and UDF-related positions
The then Opposition had earlier attributed LDF borrowing to financial indiscipline and extravagance; the article does not include a current government response.
Governor’s powers
Vijayan and CPI(M) position
Vijayan called the governor’s actions unconstitutional and said the government had a duty to oppose interference in state powers.
CPI and UDF-related positions
Vijayan alleged that the UDF government was failing to take a strong stand and was showing allegiance to the Sangh Parivar; no UDF response is provided.
- Assembly post
- Vijayan said he would recommend a CPI(M) leader as deputy Assembly leader.
- CPI position
- The CPI, described as the second-largest constituent of the opposition Left Democratic Front, had repeatedly demanded the post.
- Price increase
- Vijayan alleged that rice prices had risen by more than Rs 15 per kilogram.
- Commodities cited
- He referred to increases in rice, sugar, vegetables, coconut oil and fruit prices.
- Earlier price policy
- Vijayan said the LDF government had not increased the prices of 13 essential commodities sold through Supplyco since 2016, apart from nominal changes near the end of its second term.
- Market intervention
- He alleged that intervention through Supplyco and ration shops had become ineffective, while vegetable procurement through Horticorp had been discontinued.
- Governor criticism
- Vijayan described the governor’s summoning of the DGP and discretionary appointment of vice-chancellors as unconstitutional.