Pinarayi Vijayan Blames Internal Dissent for LDF’s Payyanur Defeat

Senior CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday attributed the LDF’s defeat in Kerala’s Payyanur Assembly constituency to internal dissent and alleged efforts by party leaders to work with its political rivals.

Vijayan was speaking at a CPI(M) programme organised to explain the party’s position on its electoral setback in Payyanur, traditionally regarded as a stronghold of the Communist Party.

He specifically criticised independent MLA V Kunhikrishnan, a former CPI(M) leader who had raised corruption allegations against party leaders in Payyanur before being expelled. Kunhikrishnan later contested as an independent candidate backed by the UDF and won the constituency.

Vijayan alleged that some people holding leadership positions within the party had acted in ways that damaged its credibility and benefited its opponents. He said Kunhikrishnan had effectively become an “axe-handle in the hands of the enemy”, arguing that his actions were aimed at weakening the CPI(M) rather than supporting it.

The CPI(M) leader said the party viewed the loss of support in Payyanur with serious concern. According to him, the party’s vote share, which stood at more than 62 per cent in 2021, fell to around 44 per cent in the latest election. The UDF secured approximately 49 per cent of the votes.

Vijayan said the biggest concern was the leakage of the party’s traditional support base, with around 18 per cent of voters who had previously backed the CPI(M) or LDF failing to support the alliance this time. He said the party would take necessary measures to regain their trust.

Vijayan also targeted the UDF government, alleging a nexus with the BJP and citing issues including PM SHRI and appointments to the Waqf Board.

He further alleged that Vande Mataram was not sung at official Independence Day events in Kerala following protests, while the full version was sung at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi and in Congress-ruled states.