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The CPI has stepped up its criticism of CPI(M) leader and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan over his reported decision to nominate a CPI(M) leader as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly. CPI said the move violates coalition norms and the principles of Left politics.
In an article published in the CPI mouthpiece Janayugam, party assistant secretary Sathyan Mokeri said the decision cannot be taken unilaterally by the Leader of the Opposition as discussions between the CPI and CPI(M) were still underway.
“The statement made by the Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on the issue of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition can only be viewed as a complete violation of coalition etiquette and as an absence of the political ethics that must be upheld in coalition politics,” Mokeri wrote.
The CPI had proposed the creation of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition post following the LDF's defeat in the Assembly elections, with the aim of strengthening the coalition's collective functioning, he said.
Mokeri questioned Pinarayi's reported statement that he would decide on the Deputy Leader and send the nomination to the Speaker. “The issue of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is a political matter. The Leader of the Opposition cannot take a decision on it on his own,” he said.
Mokeri also pointed to recent discussions between LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, following which it was agreed that the Deputy Leader issue should not obstruct the functioning of the front or the convening of an LDF meeting.
The subsequent LDF meeting decided to focus on strengthening the front and work collectively for victory in the bye-elections to 38 local self-government seats across 12 districts, Mokeri said.
Against this backdrop, he questioned the rationale behind Pinarayi making a public statement on the Deputy Leader issue.
“What prompted the Leader of the Opposition to make a statement that could weaken the LDF?” Mokeri asked.
He argued that coalition politics requires equal participation, mutual respect and consensus. Referring to communist leader Georgi Dimitrov's formulation on united-front politics, Mokeri said, “A front is not a relationship between a master and a servant.”
Mokeri also warned that attempts to project the personal likes and dislikes of the Leader of the Opposition as politics of the Left would weaken their principles.
“Such approaches will only help the BJP and Sangh Parivar organisations that are attempting to intervene strongly in Kerala politics,” he wrote.
He concluded by criticising Pinarayi's handling of the issue, saying, “It is unfortunate that one has to say that the Leader of the Opposition did not demonstrate the political maturity that communists are expected to uphold in coalition politics.”
