Unprecedented criticism against the leadership at the CPM district secretariat meetings in Kannur and Pathanamthitta has reportedly shaken the party’s state leadership following the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) crushing defeat in the May 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, in which the coalition’s tally dropped from 99 seats to just 35.
The CPM Kannur district secretariat meeting, held at Azhikodan Mandiram in Kannur, witnessed stormy scenes as local leaders openly criticised the party’s top leadership.
The high-stakes meeting, attended by CPM state secretary M. V. Govindan, E. P. Jayarajan and K. K. Shailaja, turned into a fierce internal review of the party’s massive defeat in what has traditionally been considered its “Red Fortress”.
Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and M.V. Govindan reportedly came under severe attack during the meeting. Members argued that the LDF’s crushing defeat was caused not by anti-incumbency sentiment, but by the leadership style of Pinarayi Vijayan and Govindan.
Secretariat members reportedly stated that the outgoing Chief Minister’s allegedly arrogant and dismissive public behaviour including shouting at journalists and telling reporters to “go ask at home” became a major liability during the election campaign.
They also criticised the party’s campaign strategy, saying it revolved excessively around a single individual, which alienated grassroots workers and went against Leftist traditions.
The meeting reportedly witnessed strong criticism of the party’s decision to appoint Pinarayi Vijayan as Leader of the Opposition.
Members argued that the relaxation in the party’s age-limit policy granted to him was intended only for the post of Chief Minister and not for continuing in a leadership role after such a historic electoral defeat.
Some members reportedly warned that the “Pinarayi style” had not gone down well with the public and cautioned that if the leadership failed to correct itself, the cadres would force the correction.
The Kannur secretariat also witnessed criticism over the loss of the party’s traditional strongholds. Members targeted M.V. Govindan over allegations of nepotism in fielding his wife, P. K. Shyamala, in Taliparamba, which allegedly triggered veteran leader T. K. Govindan to defect and win the seat with UDF support.
In Payyanur, the leadership was criticised for expelling whistle-blower V. Kunhikrishnan instead of addressing allegations related to the embezzlement of the Dhanraj Martyrs’ Fund by a local MLA. Kunhikrishnan later went on to win the seat as a rebel candidate.
A deeply emotional discussion reportedly emerged over the widening gap between party leaders and cadres. Members said that individuals who had secured positions and power within the party and government “enjoyed luxuries”, while full-time workers who sacrificed for the movement had been sidelined and neglected.
Party Kannur district secretary K. K. Ragesh was also accused of failing to function collectively and allegedly worsening the crisis through “immature interference” in the Taliparamba and Payyanur issues.
Meanwhile, the CPM Pathanamthitta district secretariat meeting also witnessed sharp criticism of the leadership over the party’s historic electoral drubbing. Members reportedly demanded that Pinarayi Vijayan’s appointment as Leader of the Opposition be immediately revoked.
Leaders argued that after presiding over the worst electoral setback in the party’s history, Vijayan should accept responsibility instead of continuing in a key legislative role.
Members also reportedly criticised the exceptional relaxation granted to Vijayan from the party’s strict age-limit policy, arguing that it was meant solely for him to serve as Chief Minister and not as Opposition Leader after what they described as a massive public rejection.
M.V. Govindan also faced criticism at the meeting, with members accusing him of neglecting organisational problems across the state while focusing on defending P.K. Shyamala during her controversial candidacy and defeat in Taliparamba.
Several members reportedly observed that the Chief Minister’s Office and various state ministries had become disconnected from the party’s rank and file over the past decade, treating ordinary workers as insignificant.
At the subsequent Pathanamthitta district committee meeting, members launched another scathing attack on Pinarayi Vijayan. They criticised the party’s decision to field former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja from Peravoor instead of Mattannur, which she had represented earlier.
Some members argued that Pinarayi Vijayan himself should have contested from Peravoor instead of fielding Shailaja there.
They added that Shailaja could have been accommodated in another constituency where she had better prospects of victory, while Vijayan, who had sought to lead the party to victory, should have contested from the difficult seat himself.