CPM names Pinarayi as opposition leader

T'puram: The state politics is set to witness a dramatic role reversal as outgoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will now lead the opposition benches in the assembly, reigniting his political rivalry with incoming CM V D Satheesan.CPM state committee meeting on Thursday decided that Vijayan would be the new opposition leader, ending speculations that he might opt out of the post to pave the way for younger leaders. However, the decision was taken soon after the name of Satheesan was declared as the chief minister. CPM general secretary M A Baby, Vijayan and senior leader A Vijayaraghavan attended the meeting, which was presided over by K Radhakrishnan. Left Democratic Front currently holds just 35 of the 140 seats in the assembly while on the other hand, Congress-led UDF is set to form the govt after winning 102 seats.Satheesan and Pinarayi had engaged in intense battles inside and outside the assembly when the former served as opposition leader during the previous LDF govt. Vijayan will be heading the opposition benches after being in power for 10 years. There were speculations that he would not be taking up the post and that the party would hand the reins to former finance minister K N Balagopal but the state committee opted for Vijayan after electing him as the CPM legislative party leader. Political observers believe the sharp exchanges and ideological confrontations between the two leaders are likely to continue, albeit from opposite sides of the House.