Thiruvananthapuram, 02 July (H.S.):An internal communication purportedly issued by the CPI(M) Kerala State Committee, directing party workers to actively engage with Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan's social media broadcasts, has surfaced online, triggering widespread discussion on social media platforms.

The leaked directive, which was reportedly circulated only among party groups, instructed cadres to ensure greater online visibility for Mr. Vijayan's live press conference held at 11 a.m. on Thursday. According to the message, party workers were asked to 'like' and post comments on the live streams to improve engagement and counter what it described as 'deliberate negative comments' allegedly posted by supporters of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).

The communication specifically instructed cadres to engage with the live broadcast on the Facebook and YouTube pages of Pinarayi Vijayan, CPIM Kerala, and CPIM Ernakulam DC. It directed every party worker to post at least two comments on the live stream to boost interaction and visibility.

The message further asked those holding responsibilities at the area committee, local committee and branch levels to ensure that the directive was implemented by party members. It also reportedly instructed organisers that the communication should remain confined to internal party groups and not be shared publicly.

However, the message is said to have leaked from one of the party's internal groups, including groups associated with progressive literary organisations, following which screenshots began circulating widely on social media. The alleged directive has since become the subject of political debate and online discussion.

The CPI(M) has not officially commented on the authenticity of the circulated communication. Likewise, there has been no official response from the UDF regarding the allegations contained in the message.

The leaked communication has renewed debate over the increasing role of organised social media mobilisation in shaping political narratives and online engagement in Kerala.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman