The CPI(M) is witnessing internal discord following its loss of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the local body elections. Sharp criticism emerged at the district committee meeting, with leaders flagging serious organisational lapses in 14 wards.
Former Mayor Arya Rajendran came under attack for prioritising her personal image over party consolidation, which, leaders argued, weakened the party’s influence and ultimately cost it power. Senior leaders alleged that governance suffered as focus shifted to self-promotion rather than administration.
District committee members also criticised the leadership structure in the capital, pointing out that although V Joy is the district secretary, V Sivankutty and Kadakampally Surendran were effectively functioning as parallel decision-makers. Their rigid approach, members said, contributed to defeats in several wards. The district was described as having “three district secretaries,” leading to confusion and lack of unity.
There was also criticism of SP Deepak for campaigning that he would become mayor even before election results were declared, drawing objections from Sivankutty. Calls were raised for a detailed review of constituencies lost by narrow margins of around 100 votes.
Questions were also raised over the absence of disciplinary action against CPI(M) leader A Padmakumar, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold smuggling case. State secretary MV Govindan responded that no action could be taken unless guilt was legally established.
The district committee report will now be reviewed by the CPI(M) state committee, after which another district-level meeting will be held. The defeat has clearly intensified factional tensions within the party.
