{
  "id": 4162679,
  "title": "Row within LDF in Keralam: CPI, CPI(M) question each other’s legacy as IUML sends feelers to CPI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/row-within-ldf-in-keralam-cpi-cpi-m-question-each-others-legacy-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T10:04:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/row-within-ldf-in-keralam-cpi-cpim-question-each-others-legacy-as-iuml-sends-feelers-to-cpi/article71404119.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the debate between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] – the two leading members of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala – over the position of Deputy Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly persists, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has extended invitations to the CPI. The party frames the CPI as representing genuine Communist principles, facing a subordinate position within the LDF due to the dominance of the CPI(M). In a piece published in their publication Chandrika, K.P.A. Majeed, the national vice-president of the IUML, acknowledges the CPI’s predicament, attributing it to being forced to serve as the CPI(M)’s subordinate.\n\nMajeed also reminisces about the C. Achutha Menon-led governments, during which the CPI collaborated with the Congress and the IUML. He asserts that these governments were pioneers in implementing land reforms, such as distributing land to tenants. In contrast, the CPI(M) appears to disregard these historical accomplishments, according to Majeed. He harshly criticizes Opposition Leader and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan for his perceived condescension towards the CPI and his perceived self-righteous demeanor.\n\nMeanwhile, the CPI(M)’s official paper Deshabhimani published an article by State secretariat member C.N. Mohanan criticizing the CPI for attempting to create divisions within the LDF. Mohanan draws attention to the CPI’s alleged alliance with the Congress during the Emergency and contends that the CPI’s victory in Keralam post-Emergency reflected the state’s unique socio-political landscape, characterized by a strong anti-Communist ideology. He also accuses the CPI of creating controversy over a non-issue, as the Deputy Leader of Opposition role has traditionally been held by the CPI(M).\n\nWhen contacted by The Hindu, CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam downplayed Majeed’s indirect proposal to reconsider their allegiance. Viswam argues that as the founder of the LDF, the CPI maintains a clear political standpoint, fully understanding the alliance’s depth. He asserts that the positions taken by the CPI are aimed at strengthening the LDF. Viswam dismisses the accusations made against the CPI by Mohanan and urges the CPI(M) to reflect upon their partnership with extreme right formations in the early 1970s, including the Jan Sangh, Swatantra Party, and Syndicate Congress. He claims the CPI corrected its mistakes at the Bhatinda Party Congress (1978) and admitted its errors at the Jalandhar Congress (1978) but kept it quiet.\n\nViswam also accuses the CPI(M) of attempting to form a pact with the Democratic Indira Congress (K) led by former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who was infamous for police excesses during the Emergency. Viswam emphasizes that the CPI prevented this partnership, expressing dissatisfaction with Mohanan’s claim that Kerala's socio-cultural ethos is anti-Left. Viswam firmly refutes Mohanan’s assertion, emphasizing that Kerala has always possessed a left-leaning society, and it is for the CPI(M) to correct him and explain his position.",
  "summary": "Binoy Viswam responds to CPI(M) State secretariat member C.N. Mohanan’s barbs in latter’s Deshabhimani article, says CPI(M) had sided with ‘extreme right-wing parties’ in early 1970s",
  "key_points": [
    "CPI and CPI(M) debate Deputy Leader of Opposition position in Kerala LDF",
    "IUML invites CPI, frames them as genuine Communist principles",
    "CPI(M) criticizes CPI for creating divisions within LDF"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}