Assembly post: CPI keeps Pinarayi out of talks as row between key LDF partners in Kerala escalates

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI has ruled out direct talks with CPM leader and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan over its demand for the post of Deputy Leader of Opposition, as the dispute between the two major partners of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) continues.

The CPI’s primary demand is that it should first receive a written response to the letter it submitted seeking the post. The party has maintained that further discussions should take place only after a formal reply.

Although the CPI is unwilling to hold direct discussions with Pinarayi Vijayan, it has expressed readiness to discuss the matter with CPM state secretary M V Govindan and LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan.

The CPI said Vijayan’s public remarks on the issue had caused considerable hurt within the party.

The party is particularly unhappy over what it sees as a complete rejection of its demand for political recognition as the second-largest constituent of the LDF. It is against this backdrop that the CPI has decided to avoid direct talks with Vijayan on the issue.

Ramakrishnan had earlier backed CPI demand

LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan had earlier taken a favourable position on the CPI’s demand. He had visited M N Smaraka, the CPI state headquarters, and led discussions on the matter.

M V Govindan had initially rejected the demand but later indicated that there was scope for discussions on the issue.

CPM proposal to keep post vacant rejected

The CPM had, on the previous day, proposed leaving the Deputy Leader of Opposition’s post vacant as a temporary measure to resolve the dispute.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam strongly opposed the proposal. He made it clear that the party was not prepared to compromise on its demand.