Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan criticized the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Kerala, stating that the party is undergoing its biggest crisis in history. He attributed this decline to what he called the arrogance of power during Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s ten-year rule. Satheesan claimed that many committed communists and respected leaders have distanced themselves from the CPI-M, accusing the party of moving away from communist ideals and functioning like a far-right organization.
The rift within the CPI-M was highlighted by veteran leader G. Sudhakaran’s decision to leave the party and contest independently. Satheesan mentioned that his Congress and the United Democratic Front would collectively decide whether to support Sudhakaran, whom he referred to as a respected communist leader. He noted a significant number of local CPI-M leaders joining the Congress during the Opposition’s outreach program, emphasizing a growing public discontent against the government.
Satheesan criticized the state government for allegedly misusing public funds for publicity campaigns, claiming that no previous Kerala government had spent state treasury funds on election propaganda. He questioned the government’s claims regarding welfare and infrastructure achievements, suggesting that some projects were exaggerated for political purposes. The Opposition leader also pointed out moral decline within the CPI-M, citing internal protests over Sudhakaran’s departure and warning of a strong voter backlash against the ruling front.
