KOZHIKODE: Strong criticism was reportedly raised against the state leadership of the CPI, particularly state secretary Binoy Viswam, during the party’s district executive meeting in Kozhikode over the party’s defeat in the Nadapuram assembly constituency.
According to sources, leaders accused Binoy Viswam of deciding the candidate without adequately considering the sentiments of alliance partners and sections of the local leadership.
Discussions in the district executive reportedly noted that repeated concerns raised by the CPM leadership over candidate selection in Nadapuram were ignored. Leaders also alleged that CPM state secretariat member P Mohanan had personally conveyed the alliance’s reservations regarding fielding a woman candidate in the constituency. However, the concerns were allegedly not taken into account and the candidate selection proceeded without wider consultation.
The district executive is learnt to have sought accountability from both Binoy Viswam and Sathyan Mokeri for the electoral setback.
Leaders pointed out that Nadapuram has traditionally been considered a CPI stronghold. Barring a single defeat in the 1960s after the constituency was formed, the party had retained the seat even during politically difficult periods for the LDF. Against that backdrop, leaders reportedly viewed the scale of the defeat as significant. The meeting reportedly concluded that mistakes in candidate selection were a major reason for the loss.
Meanwhile, criticism against Binoy was also reportedly voiced during the CPI Palakkad district executive meeting. Leaders there allegedly said controversies surrounding the ASHA workers’ protest and the PM SHRI scheme had adversely affected the party, and held Binoy’s political positions responsible for the setbacks.
Candidate selection
According to sources, leaders accused Binoy Viswam of deciding the candidate without adequately considering the sentiments of alliance partners and sections of local leadership