CPI's Binoy Viswam Criticizes Personality Cults, Reasserts Claim to Deputy Opposition Post

CPI Kerala State Secretary Binoy Viswam on Sunday criticized the cult of personality within the Left Democratic Front (LDF), saying Communist parties must reject such practices, as he assessed the alliance's defeat in the Kerala Assembly elections. Speaking after the CPI national council meeting in New Delhi, Viswam called the loss a warning from the people and reiterated his party's claim to the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Viswam said the focus on a single leader during the campaign, widely interpreted as a reference to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, undermined collective leadership principles. He stated that Communist parties globally have learned to reject personality-driven politics, adding that such tendencies, if present, are incorrect. Internal CPI discussions have reportedly questioned Vijayan's central role and governing style.

On the prolonged strike by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Viswam said a Left government must not treat workers' struggles with indifference, criticizing the state's response as inconsistent with Left principles. He acknowledged the LDF lost in constituencies it should have retained, calling the results a signal for self-correction.

Viswam dismissed CPI(M)'s objections to the CPI's claim on the Deputy Opposition Leader post as technical, maintaining that his party is entitled to it based on political norms. He emphasized that the CPI would not conceal its shortcomings and would participate in a thorough review of the election outcome.

The CPI will continue internal consultations on the election results, party leaders said, as the Left alliance prepares to regroup in Kerala. The Assembly session is scheduled to begin later this month, with the opposition structure expected to be formalized then.