Thiruvananthapuram: Despite the CPM leadership rejecting reports of criticism against former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and party state secretary M V Govindan in post-election committee meetings, area committees continue to witness harsh criticism against both functionaries for the party's significant setback in the assembly election.
Internal Discussions and Criticism
The CPM is holding discussions in lower-level party committees, providing opportunities for workers to freely express their opinions as part of analyzing the reasons for the electoral debacle. Interestingly, criticism against Vijayan and Govindan is also coming from those who previously celebrated Vijayan as the invincible leader and lucky mascot of the CPM.
Shift in Parassala Area Committee
The Parassala area committee, which earlier sparked controversy by organizing a mega Thiruvathira event solely to hail Vijayan, has now changed its stance. The area committee secretary, S Ajayakumar, is said to have questioned Vijayan's eligibility to become the opposition leader. Ajayakumar was the chairman of the organizing committee that conducted the controversial mega Thiruvathira, which Vijayan himself supported.
Criticism Against Govindan
Govindan is also facing harsh criticism in party committee meetings, especially regarding his communication style. One of the major criticisms in the area committee meetings is that the party's state leadership failed to control and guide the second Pinarayi Vijayan government. It has been said that after Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the state secretaries failed in carrying out their political responsibilities effectively.
Failure to Disown Anti-Muslim Remarks
The committees also witness criticism for not disowning the 'anti-Muslim' remarks of SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan. Former minister V N Vasavan, who attended the Kilimanoor area committee meeting, reportedly told the meeting that the party should have forcefully opposed Natesan's anti-Muslim statements.
