Assembly deputy leader's post row: Binoy Viswam says Vijayan's stand does not fit LDF culture

The Opposition camp in Kerala appears to be facing differences over the Assembly deputy leader's post, with CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam publicly questioning CPM leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's stand on the issue.

The disagreement came into the open after Vijayan rejected the CPI's demand for the deputy leader's position and said the post would go to a CPM leader. Viswam, however, said such a disputed matter should be settled through bilateral discussions within the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Binoy Viswam questions Vijayan's stand

Viswam said he found it difficult to believe that Vijayan had made the reported statement on the deputy leader's post.

"If he has indeed said so, I am compelled to say that it is not a statement befitting the position he holds or his political maturity," Viswam told the media on Saturday.

He stressed that the LDF had an established political practice of resolving differences through discussions between the alliance partners.

"With all humility, I say that there is a general political approach in the LDF that disputed issues should be resolved through bilateral discussions. If he has said this unilaterally on an issue that both parties had kept aside for discussion, then it is not a statement befitting the culture of the LDF," Viswam said.

Viswam also made it clear that the deputy leader's post remained a disputed issue within the LDF. According to him, the matter involves the central and state leaderships of both the CPM and CPI, as well as their respective organisational units.

Vijayan says CPM will get deputy leader's post

Vijayan had earlier made the CPM's position clear when he was asked repeatedly about the CPI's demand for the deputy leader's post.

He said the appointment would require him to send a letter to the Assembly Speaker. He also made it clear that the name mentioned in that letter would be that of a CPM leader.

"Once the letter is given as directed by the Assembly Speaker, the deputy assembly leader will be appointed. There is no doubt that the name written in that letter will be that of a CPM leader," he said.

When asked about the CPI's position, Vijayan said the party would eventually be convinced.

The remarks have brought into sharper focus the disagreement between the two major parties in the Opposition LDF over the Assembly post.

CPI's demand adds to LDF disagreement

The CPI is the second-largest constituent of the Opposition LDF, making its claim to the deputy leader's post a significant issue within the alliance.

Viswam's response indicates that the CPI does not view the matter as settled and expects it to be taken up through discussions between the alliance partners.