Outgoing Keralan chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived in Delhi for a key political bureau meeting of the Left to review the party’s defeat in the assembly polls and decide the leader of opposition.
Party sources said the meeting will deliberate upon the reasons behind the setback, including criticism over the governments functioning and disconnect with grassroots workers.
“While speculation continues over whether Pinarayi Vijayan will take up the role, leaders, including K N Balagopal, Saji Cherian and P A Mohammed Riyas, are also being considered," a Left leader said.
Meanwhile, the CPI has reportedly sought the deputy leader of the opposition post after winning eight seats.
Vijayan had also participated in a review meeting of the election results at the party office in Kerala on May 6.
Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan had recently said the alliance has not yet decided on a Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, dismissing speculation about leadership changes within the CPI(M). He said the posters calling for leadership changes were unrelated to the party.
“The Leader of the Opposition has not been decided yet. Once the Congress decides who its chief minister will be, we will immediately announce the opposition leader as well. The CPI has not informed the LDF of any stand that Pinarayi Vijayan should not become the Opposition Leader. Changing the leadership is not under the party’s consideration. There are also no discussions about replacing the CPI(M) secretary," he said.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) achieved a significant victory in the southern state by securing 102 seats, including 63 won by the Congress. The Congress is currently considering candidates for the chief ministerial position.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan has also arrived in the national capital amid reports that the Congress high command would soon announce its decision regarding the chief ministerial candidate.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also arrived in Delhi, where Keralam leaders met members of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
VD Satheesan, who was the Leader of Opposition under the outgoing LDF government, is among the frontrunners for the Chief Minister post in Kerala.
