Thiruvananthapuram, August 29: Senior leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and former MLA K.P.A. Maheed has backed the CPI in its escalating conflict with the CPI(M) over the position of opposition deputy leader. He accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of treating the smaller coalition partners in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) as subordinates.
In an article published in IUML’s mouthpiece ‘Chandrika’ on Saturday, Maheed criticized Pinarayi’s assertion that the CPI should not even discuss the deputy leader position and that it is up to the CPI(M) to decide who will hold that role. He likened this stance to playing the ‘master’ within the leftist front.
Maheed argued that anyone with a fundamental understanding of Kerala’s politics would reject the notion that CPI leaders should merely bow to CPI(M) and follow its orders. He emphasized that regardless of electoral strength, the CPI has its own identity and significant standing in modern Kerala’s political history. His comments come amid rising public bitterness between the two main components of the LDF.
In the 140-member assembly, the CPI(M) holds 26 seats compared to CPI’s 8. As the second-largest party in the opposition alliance, the CPI has demanded the deputy leader position, which Pinarayi has dismissed, stating it will go to a CPI(M) leader.
Maheed contended that since joining the CPI(M)-dominated LDF, the CPI has been consistently marginalized. He pointed out that key organizational positions, such as the LDF chairman and convenor, have remained with the CPI(M).
He referenced the historical contributions of the CPI in Kerala, particularly during the C. Achuthanandan government (1970-77), when the Congress played a major role. Maheed credited the CPI-led government with laying the groundwork for Kerala’s development in education, health, and land reforms. He accused the CPI(M) of deliberately overlooking Achuthanandan’s contributions and attributing land reform primarily to E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.R. Gowri Amma.
Recalling the PM Shri controversy during the previous LDF government, Maheed reminded how the CPI opposed agreements made by Pinarayi Vijayan and V. Sivan Kutty, which were often disregarded by the CPI(M).
He expressed concern that the CPI has felt stifled within the LDF for the past 25 years, a situation that should alarm anyone who believes in democracy. He stated that discussions about whether the CPI should remain in the LDF or consider other options should only occur once the party clarifies its stance.
Maheed dismissed the notion that the CPI’s future political decisions would pose a threat to the UDF, arguing that the initial 100 days of the V.D. Satheesan government have demonstrated that the UDF can represent leftist ideologies in Kerala.
He concluded, “Simply labeling an alliance as LDF does not make it leftist.”
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