Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Chennithala Attacks Vijayan Over Criticism of Independent MLAs
Ramesh Chennithala criticized Vijayan after Vijayan spoke harshly about two independent lawmakers.
Vijayan called T K Govindan an opportunist.
He also said V Kunhikrishnan had betrayed the CPI(M) by cooperating with its opponents.
The two lawmakers were former party leaders who won with UDF support.
Chennithala said Vijayan was trying to gain more control over the CPI(M).
He argued that the party should study why it lost the election instead of blaming voters.
Chennithala also criticized a comment that linked the defeat in Thaliparamba to selecting a woman candidate.
He said that remark was insulting to women and asked CPI(M) leaders to clarify their positions.
Ramesh Chennithala accused Vijayan of trying to consolidate control over the CPI(M).
Vijayan called Thaliparamba independent MLA T K Govindan an “opportunist.”
Vijayan accused Payyannur MLA V Kunhikrishnan of betraying the party by working with opponents.
Chennithala said CPI(M) leaders should examine the party’s electoral defeat rather than blame voters.
He called K K Ragesh’s explanation of the Thaliparamba defeat “misogynistic” and insulting to women.
- Who
- Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, CPI(M) leader Vijayan, and independent MLAs V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan.
- What
- Chennithala criticized Vijayan’s remarks about the two independent MLAs and accused him of seeking greater control over the CPI(M).
- When
- Monday, August 31; Chennithala referred to CPI(M) meetings held over the preceding two days.
- Where
- Kannur, with the cited CPI(M) meetings held in Payyannur and Thaliparamba.
- Why
- Chennithala said the CPI(M) should address the reasons for its electoral defeat instead of blaming voters, and alleged that Vijayan was consolidating power.
Chennithala’s Criticism
Vijayan and CPI(M) Remarks
Reason for the electoral defeat
Chennithala’s Criticism
Chennithala said the CPI(M) should examine its own failures and the public anger against the administration rather than claim that voters made a mistake.
Vijayan and CPI(M) Remarks
Vijayan reportedly said the people made a mistake, while CPI(M) leaders discussed shortcomings surrounding the party’s defeat.
Independent MLAs
Chennithala’s Criticism
Chennithala defended V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan and questioned the authority of CPI(M) district leaders to threaten them.
Vijayan and CPI(M) Remarks
Vijayan described Govindan as an opportunist and accused Kunhikrishnan of betraying the CPI(M) by colluding with its opponents.
Thaliparamba candidate selection
Chennithala’s Criticism
Chennithala said attributing the defeat to the selection of a woman candidate was misogynistic and insulting to women.
Vijayan and CPI(M) Remarks
CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K K Ragesh reportedly said the defeat was linked to selecting a woman candidate, whom he characterized as weak.
- Speaker
- Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Home Minister
- Target of criticism
- Vijayan, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly
- MLAs discussed
- V Kunhikrishnan of Payyannur and T K Govindan of Thaliparamba
- Vijayan’s remarks
- He called Govindan an “opportunist” and accused Kunhikrishnan of betraying the party.
- Political context
- The two independent MLAs were former party leaders who won Assembly elections with UDF support.
- Additional controversy
- K K Ragesh attributed the Thaliparamba defeat to the selection of a woman candidate, a claim Chennithala called misogynistic.