Archive · 24 Aug 2026
CPI Escalates Dispute With Vijayan Over Deputy LoP Post
The CPI and CPI(M) are arguing over an important job in Kerala’s Assembly.
The job is called Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
The CPI says one of its members should receive the position.
Pinarayi Vijayan, a senior CPI(M) leader, said the job should go only to a CPI(M) legislator.
D Raja, the CPI’s national leader, criticized Vijayan’s decision.
Raja asked Vijayan to show more willingness to compromise.
CPI Kerala leader Binoy Viswam also criticized Vijayan’s statement.
The disagreement is creating tension inside the Left Democratic Front alliance.
CPI General Secretary D Raja backed his party’s claim to Kerala’s Deputy Leader of the Opposition post.
Raja urged CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan to be more accommodating toward the coalition partner.
Vijayan said the post would go exclusively to a CPI(M) legislator.
CPI Kerala Secretary Binoy Viswam called Vijayan’s position inappropriate and lacking political maturity.
The disagreement has intensified tensions between the CPI and CPI(M), the two largest LDF constituents in the Kerala Assembly.
- Who
- The Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Pinarayi Vijayan, D Raja, and Binoy Viswam.
- What
- A dispute over which party should hold the Deputy Leader of the Opposition post in the Kerala Assembly.
- When
- D Raja criticized Vijayan on Monday; Vijayan rejected the CPI’s demand on Friday.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Kerala Assembly; Raja spoke to reporters in New Delhi, while Vijayan spoke in Thrissur.
- Why
- The CPI says it has a genuine claim to the post, while Vijayan says it should go exclusively to a CPI(M) legislator.
CPI’s Claim
CPI(M)’s Position
Who should hold the post
CPI’s Claim
The CPI says it has a genuine claim to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition position and expects accommodation from its coalition partner.
CPI(M)’s Position
Pinarayi Vijayan says any future appointment to the post should go exclusively to a CPI(M) legislator.
Political conduct
CPI’s Claim
D Raja says Vijayan should be more accommodating, while Binoy Viswam says his absolute stance is inappropriate and compromises the CPI’s self-respect.
CPI(M)’s Position
Vijayan has publicly rejected the CPI’s demand and maintained the CPI(M)-only position.
- Alliance
- Left Democratic Front (LDF)
- Disputed post
- Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly
- CPI position
- The CPI says its claim to the post is genuine.
- Pinarayi Vijayan’s position
- The post should go exclusively to a CPI(M) legislator.
- National CPI response
- General Secretary D Raja urged Vijayan to be more accommodating.
- Kerala CPI response
- Secretary Binoy Viswam said Vijayan’s stance was not befitting his position or political maturity.