LDF Is CPI’s “Baby” and Must Not Be Weakened, Binoy Viswam Says

Binoy Viswam called Kerala’s Left Democratic Front the CPI’s “baby” and said his party would not allow any move to weaken the alliance. His remarks came during a public dispute between the CPI and its larger Left ally over the deputy Leader of Opposition post in the state Assembly.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Viswam said the CPI wanted the issue settled through discussions inside the LDF. Asked whether the party might sit as a separate bloc in the Assembly, he said he could not comment at present.

“The CPI is the party that worked hard to form the LDF. The LDF is the CPI's baby. Our aim is to ensure that this baby grows into a healthy, strong and good-natured one with its own identity. The CPI will not take any stand other than this,” Viswam said. He added, “No move to destroy it would be allowed.”

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The CPI is the party that worked hard to form the LDF. The LDF is the CPI's baby. Our aim is to ensure that this baby grows into a healthy, strong and good-natured one with its own identity. The CPI will not take any stand other than this.

Viswam also said the CPI’s argument that convention entitled it to the deputy opposition post was only the party’s view, not an LDF decision. The CPI, the alliance’s second-largest constituent, recently criticized CPI veteran and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan for rejecting its demand and accused him of violating coalition norms and undermining the alliance.

Vijayan said last week that the deputy post would go to a CPI leader. He said appointing the deputy only required him to send a letter to the Assembly Speaker and that there was no doubt the name he recommended would come from the CPI. Viswam described those remarks as unbecoming of Vijayan’s position. The CPI state executive committee was scheduled to meet in Delhi to discuss the alliance dispute and the prevailing political situation.

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No move to destroy it would be allowed