Kozhikode: Fierce criticism was directed against former chief minister and current Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan during the CPM’s extended state committee meeting, with delegates singling out the 'Karanabhoothan' (sole catalyst) persona as the primary reason for the electoral debacle.

Speakers noted that the Assembly election defeat was not unexpected, pointing out that following consecutive losses in every election held after 2021, the state leadership failed to gauge the public pulse or formulate effective strategies. Concerns were also raised that the contents of the official party document presented at the meeting were wholly insufficient to regain the public trust lost by the party.

A delegate representing the Kasaragod district leveled scathing criticism against Pinarayi Vijayan without explicitly naming him, asserting that the electoral failure belonged to him as well. Explicitly invoking the term ‘Karanabhoothan’, the Kasaragod district secretariat member demanded that all those elevated to the status of ‘Karanabhoothan’ must accept responsibility for the defeat.

Conversely, representatives from Kozhikode took a protective stance during the morning discussions, arguing that the party should shield both Pinarayi Vijayan and Mohammed Riyas regarding issues connected to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The term ‘Karanabhoothan’ originally gained widespread attention after it was used to describe Pinarayi Vijayan in the lyrics of a mega Thiruvathira dance performance held in 2022.