Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan slams CPI(M) defectors, cites rise of ‘parliamentary ambitions’

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticizes CPI(M) defectors for betrayal, citing rising individual ambitions and party loyalty concerns.

Breaking his silence after three CPI(M) leaders decided to contest as Independents backed by Congress, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the tendency of growing “parliamentary ambitions” had emerged among some cadres.

“It is true that an unusual trend is emerging among some leaders. Such tendencies were not common in our party earlier. It may be due to changes over time,” Mr. Vijayan said, referring to leaders such as G. Sudhakaran, V. Kunhikrishnan and T.K. Govindan, who are contesting the Assembly election as Independents from Ambalappuzha, Payyanur and Taliparamba, respectively.

He said both Mr. Sudhakaran and Mr. Govindan were senior leaders and such developments should not have occurred.

“They have destroyed their long political legacy. In our view, this amounts to betrayal —joining hands with rivals to weaken the party,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan said Mr. Sudhakaran had never been sidelined and was, in fact, one of the most accepted leaders in the party.

He pointed out that the party had taken a decision at its congress to step aside leaders aged 75 or older.