Kochi: Post election debacle, CPM in Kerala is in a major crisis as many leaders have opposed appointing disgraced former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the new Opposition Leader.
However, leaders like K N Balagopal and Saji Cherian put their weight behind Pinarayi in becoming Leader of Opposition even as Wednesday’s secretariat meeting did not formalise the decision.
If Pinarayi fails to become a consensus candidate, Balagopal will be the preferred choice, media reports said.
There are also speculations of Pinarayi as leader of the opposition and Balagopal as deputy leader.
The party is working hard to find a consensus candidate who could take on the Congress and new BJP leaders in the house.
CPM’s crucial ally CPI is opposed to Pinarayi becoming leader of the opposition.
CPI MP Santhosh Kumar called for a change in leadership: “It’s a deeply humiliating defeat. …a new opposition leader and deputy leader are needed,” he said at New Delhi.
There was strong criticism against Pinarayi at CPI secretariat and executive meetings.
However, state secretary Binoy Viswam said the party would not interfere in selection of Leader of Opposition.CPI is likely to demand for the deputy leader post.
Pinarayi faces criticism from within
