Pinarayi is trying to overcome opposition and maintain his dominance, says Kunhikrishnan

Kerala Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan recently delivered strongly worded speeches in Payyannur and Taliparamba, both in Kannur district, as part of the CPI(M)’s post-election “political explanatory meetings”.

The speeches came after the party’s losses in the April 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, including defeats in traditional strongholds where CPI(M) rebels backed by the UDF emerged victorious.

In Payyannur, Vijayan launched a sharp attack on V. Kunhikrishnan MLA, describing him as having become “the axe in the hands of the enemies” who sought to undermine the party from within. He said those who become such tools against the party would not be allowed to grow further or cause lasting damage, and stressed that the CPI(M) does not forgive mistakes, taking strong action against anyone who errs, irrespective of their position.

In Taliparamba, Vijayan described T.K. Govindan MLA as an “opportunist” being used by the party’s opponents as a tool against the CPI(M). He also appealed to LDF supporters who had voted for Govindan to “realise their mistake”, correct it, and work to strengthen the CPI(M).

Against this backdrop, THE WEEK spoke to Kunhikrishnan, who defeated the CPI(M) candidate in Payyannur. Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ What is the mood there following the CPI(M)’s political explanatory meeting? Has it affected you in any way?

A/ Other than the fact that they have issued a threat, nothing else. It was a provocative speech. It was a threat. That’s all. It hasn’t created any enthusiasm among cadres who attended. I heard that no one was even ready to applaud.

Q/ There must also be people within the CPI(M) who think very intensely along these lines, right? When a senior leader like Pinarayi Vijayan uses such a dog whistle, doesn’t that make the situation potentially dangerous? What if someone decides to do something reckless?

A/ Yes, there could be such people.

Q/ So, are you taking any special precautions?

A/ No, we have not thought about anything along those lines.

Q/ In channel discussions, CPI(M) representatives are calling you a “traitor to the class” (vargavanchakan). Is that, in a way, making it more difficult for us to function there as MLAs? Is that how we should look at it?

A/ That is exactly their intention.

Q/ How do you see these developments? The party hasn’t shown any kind of remorse or even offered an explanation about the matter.

A/ Nothing. In fact, the state leaders are even rejecting what the Central Committee has said. Through their speeches, Pinarayi, who is one of the party’s senior leaders, as well as the Kannur district secretary, is rejecting the Central Committee’s decision.

Q/ Has anything like this happened in the party’s history before—where a decision from the top is simply rejected?

A/ No.

Q/ This is a very hierarchical party, after all. So, to disregard that hierarchy in this manner…

A/ What it means is that this is part of an attempt to strengthen Pinarayi’s dominance within the party.

Q/ Does this mean Pinarayi himself feels that his position has weakened?

A/ Yes. There is some opposition emerging now, isn’t there? So, this is part of an effort to overcome that opposition and maintain his dominance.

Q/ Do they believe that speaking this way will strengthen their position? Will it actually strengthen them, given the nature of the party?

A/ That must be their understanding.

Q/ But based on your understanding of the party, does speaking this way actually strengthen it, or does it push the party into greater difficulties?

A/ There is no possibility of it becoming stronger. People are watching all of this, aren’t they?

Q/ The CPI has now come out with a criticism of the CPI(M) leadership, specifically naming Pinarayi Vijayan. While they have described the issue in terms of the post of Deputy Chief Minister or Deputy Leader of the Opposition, it is clear that there are many factors behind it. How do you see these developments within the LDF?

A/ It is an attempt by Pinarayi Vijayan to establish that he is the one who calls all the shots, not just in the party but also in the alliance. The CPI does not accept that. It is difficult to say at this point how far this will go. At some stage, the central leaderships of the two parties may intervene.

Q/ So, after an existence that the LDF has built over four decades, its very existence now appears to be under question.

A/ Mutual respect is an important component, isn’t it? If everything is decided unilaterally, everyone is not going to accept it. This practice of making unilateral decisions has existed within the party for some time, and now it appears to be extending to the alliance as well. That is what we can see through these differences of opinion.