LDF is our ‘baby’, won’t allow any move to weaken alliance: CPI’s Binoy Viswam amid row with CPM

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Asserting that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is the CPI's “baby”, party state secretary Binoy Viswam on Tuesday made it clear that the CPI would not allow any attempt to weaken the ruling coalition, even as tensions persist between the two key allies over the deputy Leader of Opposition post in the Keralam Assembly.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Viswam emphasised that the CPI would refrain from taking any stance that damages its relationship with the CPM, adding that the party wants the matter resolved through internal discussions within the LDF.

When asked whether the CPI would consider sitting as a separate bloc in the state Assembly due to the feud, Viswam noted that the party could not comment on the matter at present.

"The CPI is the party that worked hard to form the LDF. The LDF is the CPI's baby. Our aim is to ensure that this baby grows into a healthy, strong and good-natured one with its own identity. The CPI will not take any stand other than this," he said.

"No move to destroy it would be allowed," the senior leader added.

Addressing the claims over the key Assembly position, Viswam stated that the CPM's argument—that the deputy LoP post should naturally go to it based on convention—was merely its own view, rather than an official LDF decision.

The remarks follow a public disagreement between the two major Left constituents after the CPI staked a claim for the deputy LoP post. The second-largest constituent in the front recently took issue with CPM veteran and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan for turning down its request, accusing him of disregarding coalition norms and weakening the alliance.

Last week, Vijayan dismissed the CPI's demand, clarifying that the deputy LoP post would be assigned to a CPM leader. He noted that formalising the appointment simply required him to send a letter to the Assembly Speaker and affirmed that the recommended candidate would undoubtedly come from the CPM.

Also read: ‘Pinarayi’s tone threatening; Why didn't party clear doubts if public was misled?’ Ex-CPM leader

Viswam had sharply countered Vijayan's comments, remarking that they were unbecoming of the position he holds.

Meanwhile, senior CPI leader and former minister K Rajan expressed confidence that the party's claim over the post would ultimately be honored.

"If Binoy Viswam has expressed confidence that the Deputy Leader of Opposition's post will go to the CPI, it reflects the confidence of the party. The CPI has raised a legitimate demand and we stand firm on it," he said.

"We believe that what has been sought is something the CPI is entitled to within the LDF. Since we deserve it, we are confident that we will get it," he added.

Rajan highlighted the CPI's historical contributions to building the front, ruling out any possibility of an exit.

"The LDF is the result of the sacrifices made by the CPI as well. There is no circumstance at present for us to say that the CPI will leave the LDF," he said.

Commenting on an article written by IUML veteran K P A Majeed praising the CPI in the backdrop of the alliance rift, Rajan remarked that the Opposition could only hope for the Left party to break away and write pieces to that effect in its mouthpiece 'Chandrika'.

Meanwhile, party sources indicated that the CPI state executive committee is scheduled to convene in Delhi on Tuesday to evaluate the prevailing political landscape and resolve the internal alliance friction. (PTI)