Thiruvananthapuram, 14 May (H.S.) :Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to become the new Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly following the defeat of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The decision was taken unanimously at a key CPI(M) leadership meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Senior party leaders reportedly agreed that Pinarayi Vijayan should lead the Opposition in the Assembly at a time when the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), headed by Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan, is preparing to assume office.

Party sources said the CPI(M) leadership believed Vijayan’s long administrative and political experience would be crucial in leading the Opposition benches and reorganising the Left front after its electoral setback.

Pinarayi Vijayan is one of the most influential leaders in Kerala politics and served as Chief Minister for two consecutive terms from 2016 to 2026. Under his leadership, the LDF created history in 2021 by returning to power for a second successive term, breaking Kerala’s decades-old pattern of alternating governments between the LDF and the UDF.

During his tenure, Vijayan handled several major crises, including the Nipah outbreaks, the Covid-19 pandemic, recurring floods, and multiple welfare and infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the state government. He also played a central role in strengthening the CPI(M)’s organisational structure in Kerala and remained one of the party’s most recognisable national faces.

The CPI(M) meeting also reportedly discussed the reasons behind the LDF’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections and the need for organisational introspection and corrective measures in the coming months.

With Vijayan expected to take over as Leader of the Opposition, Kerala politics is now set to witness a direct political contest between him and Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan in the Assembly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman