Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Jose K Mani Urges Talks Over Kerala Deputy Opposition Post
Jose K Mani said two Left parties in Kerala should talk privately about who gets an important opposition post.
The disagreement is between the CPI(M) and the CPI.
Mani said public arguments would not help solve the issue.
He said his party would support whatever decision the two parties make.
He also said the LDF should carefully study why it lost the 2026 Assembly election.
He said the party should look beyond the obvious reasons.
Kerala Congress (Mani) will remain part of the LDF.
CPI leader Binoy Viswam also said the two parties would discuss the issue.
Jose K Mani said differences between the CPI(M) and CPI over Kerala’s Deputy Leader of the Opposition post should be resolved through discussions.
He said the issue should not be debated publicly and that his party would accept whatever decision the two parties reach.
Mani called for a close examination of the LDF’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly election.
He said Kerala Congress (Mani) would remain with the LDF and had no plans to leave the alliance.
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the CPI and CPI(M) would discuss the matter, with their general secretaries involved if necessary.
- Who
- Jose K Mani, Kerala Congress (Mani) chairman, and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam commented on the dispute involving the CPI(M) and CPI.
- What
- Differences over the Deputy Leader of the Opposition post in the Kerala Assembly are to be addressed through discussions.
- When
- The statements were made on Thursday; the article also refers to the 2026 Assembly election result.
- Where
- Jose K Mani spoke at a press conference in Thrissur, Kerala.
- Why
- The LDF partners differ over the opposition leadership post, while Mani said the alliance must also examine its 2026 election defeat.
CPI Position
CPI(M) Position
Deputy opposition leadership
CPI Position
The CPI said the matter would be discussed with the CPI(M), and its general secretary could participate if needed.
CPI(M) Position
The article does not state the CPI(M)’s specific public position, but identifies it as the other party involved in the disagreement.
How to resolve the dispute
CPI Position
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam supported resolving the matter through discussions between the two Left parties.
CPI(M) Position
Jose K Mani also called for discussions rather than a public debate, while saying the final decision should be left to the CPI and CPI(M).
- Main speaker
- Jose K Mani, chairman of Kerala Congress (Mani)
- Disputed post
- Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly
- Parties involved
- The CPI(M) and CPI
- Alliance
- The Left Democratic Front (LDF)
- Kerala Congress (Mani) position
- The party said it would remain with the LDF and has no plans to leave.
- Election result
- Mani said the LDF’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly election should be examined closely.
- CPI response
- CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the issue would be discussed between the two Left parties.