Kannur, 06 May (H.S.):Growing discontent has erupted within the CPI(M) in Kannur following the party’s unexpected setback in the Kerala Assembly elections, with a section of grassroots workers openly demanding the return of veteran leader P. Jayarajan to a more prominent organisational role.

Once regarded as the most popular CPI(M) leader in Kannur after veteran V.S. Achuthanandan, Jayarajan had gradually been sidelined amid internal controversies surrounding allegations of “personality cult politics.” Party workers now allege that the leadership led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Secretary M.V. Govindan systematically marginalised leaders like Jayarajan with the support of the dominant faction in the party.

The discontent has intensified after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered serious erosion in traditional CPI(M) strongholds such as Taliparamba and Payyannur, where the Congress-led UDF made significant inroads. In Azhikode and nearby areas, flex boards supporting Jayarajan and criticising the present leadership have appeared publicly.

One such banner carried the slogan: “Bring Back P. Jayarajan, Save the Party.”

Local cadre members believe the party has lost the discipline and organisational strength that existed when Jayarajan served as Kannur district secretary. Party workers have openly criticised M.V. Govindan and Kannur district secretary K.K. Ragesh, accusing them of failing to contain the erosion of the party’s support base in the district.

Govindan has also faced criticism over allegations of “family politics” after his wife P.K. Shyamala contested from Taliparamba. Workers claim that large-scale vote leakage in constituencies such as Payyannur, Taliparamba, and Mattannur reflects a serious leadership failure.

The sharp fall in the CPI(M)’s vote share in Kannur and the reduced margin in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Dharmadam constituency have triggered intense internal discussions within the party.

Responding cautiously to the election outcome, P. Jayarajan said the CPI(M) must introspect seriously and correct its shortcomings. He warned that if organisational decay within parliamentary politics is not addressed through honest discussions, the party could lose credibility among the people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman