Kannur: As the CPM leadership moved to the grassroots level to assess the election defeat, criticism against the leadership intensified. At the Kannur district committee meeting held after the secretariat meeting, members launched severe criticism against the leadership. Even those who had earlier hesitated to speak openly came forward with criticism and reasons. The “open criticism” followed the state secretariat’s decision allowing every member to speak freely.

Members openly named CPM General Secretary MA Baby, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary MV Govindan while listing what they called the leadership’s failures.

Sharp criticism was directed at MA Baby. Members questioned his statements that there was no anti-incumbency sentiment and that nothing specifically anti-Pinarayi had occurred. Criticism was also raised against Baby’s remark that since the election was faced collectively by the leadership, the Chief Minister alone could not be held responsible.

Members said the Chief Minister’s authoritarian style had created resentment among the public. They added that the party’s repeated justifications after every defeat had become distasteful. Statements such as the party’s base remaining intact and the opposition not increasing its vote share were termed incorrect. Leaders, they said, should be ready for an accurate and fact-based analysis.

Members also criticised the arrogant tone and body language displayed by state secretary MV Govindan during media interactions, saying lakhs of people were watching and that it had embarrassed party workers and supporters.

Critics said the leadership had failed to detect the undercurrent among voters and warned that if the party failed to correct itself, the cadres would force a correction — something they said was already visible in traditional party strongholds. Participants in the meeting included MV Govindan, KK Shailaja, PK Sreemathy, EP Jayarajan, MV Jayarajan, P Jayarajan, P Sasi and AN Shamseer.

The district committee meeting on Saturday followed discussions held by the CPM district secretariat on Friday. The meeting will continue on Sunday as well.