Soon after being named Leader of the Opposition, veteran CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary M. V. Govindan faced strong criticism during party district committee meetings across Kerala.

Lower-level leaders alleged that the leadership’s promised “course correction” after the election setback was turning into a superficial exercise, with growing dissatisfaction among party workers being ignored. Criticism that first surfaced at the state meeting reportedly sharpened further in district-level discussions held since Friday.

Many leaders blamed Pinarayi and Govindan for the party’s defeat, accusing them of reducing the correction process to a mere formality. Delegates criticised Pinarayi’s allegedly authoritarian style of functioning and pointed to organisational failures under Govindan’s leadership.

District meetings in Kollam, Kannur and Pathanamthitta were especially vocal against the former chief minister. At the Pathanamthitta meeting, criticism was also directed at Veena George, while leaders in Ernakulam reportedly raised objections against both Pinarayi and P. Rajeeve.

Some district leaders questioned the decision to appoint Pinarayi as Opposition leader even before district committee consultations were completed. According to them, the move reflected a continuation of unilateral decision-making within the party and failed to recognise the dissatisfaction among cadres and the public.

Pinarayi was also criticised for allegedly encouraging a personality cult during his tenure, while Govindan faced blame for organisational weaknesses in Kannur, particularly in Thaliparamba and Payyannur.