Kanam faces criticism for comments on national leadership

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Communist Party of India (CPI) Secretary of State Kanam Rajendran reportedly faced internal party dissension for allegedly criticizing Secretary General D. Raja in his public comments.

Mr. Raja had appeared to support the controversial statement by CPI leader Annie Rajas that the Kerala police were blatantly misogynistic and controlled by an RSS gang. Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party interpreted the remark as a direct attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who held the interior portfolio.

Pressed on the matter last week, Rajendran stressed the party’s mandate that national leaders should not comment on regional issues without keeping state leaders informed. He also said the party code applied to all members equally.

The incident sparked speculation that CPI veteran KE Ismail strongly objected to Mr. Rajendrans’ comments and complained to national leaders. Mr Rajendran dismissed media speculation as mere guesswork.

The CPI has also critically examined its electoral campaign in the Assembly and pointed out several flaws for future rectification.

The machinery of the campaign made the party fail in Idukki. The ICC campaign involving national leaders has been lackluster due to poor organization.

The IPC’s term limitation for MPs saw several former lawmakers stay out of the election campaign. The void was pronounced in Nattika, Mannarkkad and Peerumade.

The CPI failed to resolve the problems of hill farmers with local revenue and forestry officials, prompting many Left Democratic Front (LDF) votes to revolve around the United Democratic Front (UDF).

The IPC review report also reportedly rejected the assessment by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that the inclusion of the Kerala (M) Congress had electorally benefited the DFL. The defection of the KC (M) from the LDF had weakened the UDF. But, this did not lead to any increase in the share of LDF votes.

In addition, a significant part of the LDF workers could not come to terms with the inclusion of Mr. Manis in the LDF and sided with Mani C. Kappan. The CPI also reportedly concluded that the Congress candidate in Kundara, PC Vishnunath, was more popular with voters than his rival LDF and CPI leader (M) J. Mercykutty.

The party also reported a large-scale erosion of the LDF votes in Kottarakara, despite the victory of Finance Minister KN Balagopals in the constituency. The IPC had reviewed the report over the past week.

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