Kozhikode, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is set to kick off a significant three-day state committee meeting in Kozhikode on September 13. This gathering will focus on an in-depth analysis of the party’s recent electoral defeat, while also reigniting questions regarding the influence of opposition leader and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The meeting has gained added significance due to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) request for an FIR against Vijayan’s daughter, Veena, concerning her now-defunct IT company and its monthly payment issues. This development places Vijayan at the center of yet another political controversy.
Interestingly, when Vijayan addressed the media for the first time following the ED’s actions, he attempted to separate the two issues. Responding to inquiries about the ED’s involvement, he stated, “What are you asking? This has nothing to do with our meeting.” However, observers will closely monitor whether the ED controversy influences the political atmosphere of the meeting.
As CPI(M) prepares for a thorough review of its largest electoral setback, the ED’s actions may provide party leadership with a reason to rally in support of Vijayan, framing the agency’s actions as politically motivated. The leadership aims to ensure that the review does not devolve into a public trial of Vijayan.
Discussions are expected to cover electoral losses, organizational weaknesses, and the need for corrective measures. However, the likelihood of senior leaders launching personal attacks against the former Chief Minister appears minimal. It is believed that about 90% of the delegates support Vijayan, reducing the chances of immediate challenges to his leadership.
Attention will be on senior leaders P. Jayarajan, A.N. Shamseer, and Thomas Isaac, who may raise questions about the electoral losses and the party’s functioning, though open attacks on Vijayan are not anticipated. The party leadership is also expected to resist extensive discussions regarding the monthly payment controversy, as both Vijayan and MLA P.A. Mohammed Riyas (Veena’s husband) have already provided clarifications.
In contrast, the CPI, the second-largest party in the Left Democratic Front, has taken a more cautious stance regarding the ED’s actions. CPI state secretary Binoy Vishwam stated that he lacks full details about the case involving Vijayan but emphasized that the Left will politically oppose any misuse of central agencies.
For CPI(M), the immediate challenge is to ensure that the electoral review does not escalate into a contentious debate about leadership. The ED controversy may have altered the political atmosphere surrounding this discussion, leaving it uncertain whether it will ultimately benefit Vijayan or complicate an already challenging review process.
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