In CPM’s Alappuzha meet, Pinarayi Vijayan, M V Govindan come under fire

Kottayam: Former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM state secretary M V Govindan came under sharp criticism during a CPM district secretariat meeting held on Monday that evaluated the assembly election results in Alappuzha. At the meeting, members opined that Vijayan should not become the opposition leader, as it would send the wrong message. Members said there was a sentiment against the former CM and the party among the public, which the party failed to recognise. Some pointed out that Vijayan's "dash mone' remark was untimely. Govindan's style also came under severe criticism. His style, behaviour and body language were not deemed suitable for a party secretary. Members said that the secretary was not accessible to ordinary workers. The decision to field Govindan's wife P K Shyamala as a candidate was also criticized. Senior CPM functionary A K Balan's "unnecessary comments" alienated minorities from the party, members said. Some claimed that senior functionaries, such as T M Thomas Isaac, C S Sujatha, R Nassar and G Sudhakaran, should have been fielded in the district. One member stated that had Sudhakaran been a candidate, the heavy defeat in the district could have been avoided. Sudhakaran's exit from the party was also heavily discussed. There were repeated demands for the CPM to take over the Kuttanad seat. Members said defeat was invited in a sure-shot seat. Criticism was also directed towards former MLA U Pratibha, with some of her remarks said to have cast a shadow of doubt over the party.