In Kerala’s Left Democratic Front government, the CPI stands as the second-largest ally to the CPI(M). However, tensions between the two Communist parties have been escalating visibly. A CPI(M) district secretariat member, S. Ajayakumar, criticized the CPI at a public meeting in Mannoor, Ottappalam.
Ajayakumar accused CPI’s national general secretary of acting like a “fourth-rate politician” and blamed the CPI for political opportunism. He highlighted that the CPI’s electoral strength is minimal in the state, questioning its ability to win even a single constituency independently. The criticism extended to the CPI’s remarks on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers.
The strained relationship between the CPI and CPI(M) intensified after the Kerala government unilaterally decided to join the PM SHRI schools program without consulting the LDF or the State Cabinet. The CPI objected to this move, leading to the government’s withdrawal from the scheme. This incident created visible tensions within the ruling alliance.
Following the local body polls in December, where the LDF’s performance fell short of expectations, internal blame games emerged. This situation, coupled with historical rivalry in Palakkad, particularly Ottappalam, has further strained the CPI–CPI(M) relationship. The public airing of differences ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in April/May poses a challenge to the Left’s unity and stability.
