Thiruvananthapuram, 14 July (H.S.):The CPI and CPM will hold crucial talks on Tuesday in an attempt to resolve the ongoing standoff over the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, a dispute that has delayed key Left Democratic Front (LDF) parliamentary activities and exposed differences within the ruling alliance.

LDF Convener T.P. Ramakrishnan is scheduled to meet CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam at the CPI headquarters, M.N. Smarakam, in Thiruvananthapuram. The meeting is expected to explore a compromise formula before the issue comes up separately at the CPM state secretariat and the CPI state executive later in the day.

The CPI has maintained that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's post should be allotted to its party, arguing that it would ensure a more balanced sharing of responsibilities within the Left alliance. According to the CPI, it is inappropriate for the CPM to continue holding both the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition positions, as such an arrangement does not reflect the coalition's spirit or conventions.

The CPM, however, has firmly rejected the demand. Senior party leaders have argued that the practice of the CPM occupying both positions has existed for decades and forms part of the established parliamentary convention within the Left Front. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier defended this position, stating that the existing arrangement was based on long-standing precedent.

Reiterating the CPM's stand, State Secretary M.V. Govindan recently said there was no question of relinquishing the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's post. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, however, countered that political conventions should evolve with changing circumstances and insisted that outdated practices cannot be used to deny coalition partners their due representation.

The disagreement has already affected the functioning of the Left Front in the Assembly. The LDF has been unable to convene a formal parliamentary party meeting, with the unresolved dispute delaying internal coordination ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Tuesday's discussions are therefore being closely watched as both parties attempt to restore unity and ensure the smooth functioning of the Opposition in the Assembly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman