The internal rift within the CPI-M in Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, has intensified as senior party leader V. Sivankutty openly expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to retain V. Joy as the district Secretary. Sivankutty’s absence from a recent district secretariat meeting highlighted his discontent over Joy’s reinstatement to the influential position. The party leadership had agreed that Joy, an MLA, would continue as the district Secretary.
The decision to maintain Joy as the district Secretary was made during a significant meeting of CPI-M state Committee members from Thiruvananthapuram district, led by party state Secretary M.V. Govindan at the AKG Centre. Notable leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were part of the discussions. Joy had temporarily stepped down from the Secretary’s role to contest the Assembly election, with Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim serving as interim district Secretary.
Traditionally, MLAs are expected to relinquish the district secretary post as per CPI(M) organizational norms. However, internal divisions within the Thiruvananthapuram unit have complicated matters. The disagreement is also tied to the shifting political landscape for Sivankutty, who lost his Nemom Assembly seat in the recent election to BJP state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Sivankutty, a prominent figure in the CPI-M in the capital district, faced setbacks with the loss of both his MLA seat and ministerial position. His desire to secure the Thiruvananthapuram district Secretary’s role, a key organizational post within the party, has not materialized with the decision to retain Joy. Sivankutty’s opposition stems from the issue of an MLA simultaneously holding the district Secretary post, a stance not previously raised when Joy held both positions.
Critics within the party highlight the selective application of organizational principles based on political expediency. Sivankutty’s discontent adds complexity to the ongoing power struggle within the Thiruvananthapuram CPI-M. The resolution of the conflict between Joy and Sivankutty is anticipated to significantly impact the party’s power dynamics in its strongest district unit.
