Has the CPI(M) lost its internal democracy or has it lost the vibrancy of discourses? Or is it that the party has subdued to only one leader or is it that factionalism in CPI(M) Kerala unit has become a thing of the past?
The CPI(M), as political pundits say has lost the real spirit of “marxist” ideology and has moved towards “capitalist shift” with the new “Vision Document” presented by Kerala Chief Minister and Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan talking of “Privatisation Policy.
unquestioned acceptance of Pinarai Vijayan.
The CPI(M) State Congress that concluded in Kochi on March 4 has seen the unquestioned acceptance of Pinarai Vijayan. The first in line was the acceptance of the “Vision Document” presented by Vijayan without any questioning, rather without even much discussion. Political analysts note that any policy document would have been debated vociferously and fearlessly but this was quite absent in accepting the present “privatisation” document at the Party congress. The consolidation of power on an individual is quite evident, they said.
Though the inclusion of youth into the party’s state committee was a welcome note, the elevation of Mohammed Riyas (son in law of Pinarayi Vijayan) was quite uncomfortable with a few of the cadre. Riyas had only made to the state committee in 2018 and was given two prominent portfolios in the Vijayan Cabinet. However, no dissent tones, which seems to have subdued with the inclusion of more youth faces in the state committee.
JAYARAJAN
When a youth face like Riyas was included, some had questioned the non-inclusion of P Jayarajan in the state secretariat. He was a senior leader in the state committee. Once known to be the right-hand man of Pinarayi Vijayan, their relation drifted after Vijayan became the chief minister. He was axed from the district secretary post after losing the Lok Sabha election from Vadakara constituency. However, critics said that he was axed as he emerged as the top most leader from Kannur, rather above State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Vijayan. An interesting thing to see is that when Jayarajan failed to get a berth in the state secretariat, P Sasi, ousted from the party in 2011 following allegations of sexual misconduct, was elevated as state committee member. Political Pundits here raise the question of rising individualism in the party.
NO DISSIDENT VOICE
What message does the party in Kerala clearly sends out? No factionalism as Pinarayi Vijayan has become stronger and no dissident voice against him. Even at the Congress, little resistance was seen for his Vision Document. Moreover, Vijayan was the one who recommended the name of Kodiyeri Balakrishnanan as the party secretary for the third time. His is the last word in the party.
With the State Congress concluding and the comrades heading for the National Congress next month in Kannur, the party is likely to see further more consolidation of power. Moreover, the Vision Document adopted at the Kerala Party Congress was much in contrast to the Draft political resolution prepared by the party Central Committee held in Hyderabad on January 7-9. Moreover, critics also point out that he was becoming all-powerful in the party with even the national leaders falling in line.
