Is CPM's focus on Pinarayi eclipsing the legacy of leaders like VS?

Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, large hoardings featuring then-Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with the tagline "Mattarund LDF Allathe" (Who else is there besides the LDF) dominated the political landscape. The CPI(M) appeared to overlook veteran leaders like V.S. Achuthanandan, who had recently passed away, in its campaign. Despite holding office for ten consecutive years, the party ultimately lost the election, and the neglect of its past stalwarts continues.

Recently, the party’s newspaper, Deshabhimani’s weekend supplement, was withheld, reportedly to prevent the publication of an article titled "Kallan Vijayan" (Thief Vijayan), which critics feared could be used by opponents to mock Pinarayi Vijayan. This move also delayed a memorial article planned for V.S. Achuthanandan, a prominent communist leader and inspiration to many, on the anniversary of his death on July 21.

Although the supplement was finally published on Monday—a rare occurrence in journalism—the question remains: how far will the party go to maintain a focus on Pinarayi?

V.S. Achuthanandan was the chief adversary of Pinarayi Vijayan within the party. Pinarayi, who has served as Chief Minister twice from 2016 to 2026 and was party secretary for over 16 years, has consolidated power, with internal rivalry often cited as the reason for sidelining VS. His increasing dominance appears to justify the neglect of other leaders.

Even after Achuthanandan’s death, the sidelining seems to persist, seemingly to protect Pinarayi’s autocratic image, which many believe contributed to the party’s electoral setbacks. Leaders like Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Sitaram Yechury also received limited prominence during the campaign. Kodiyeri, a respected communist figure, died in October 2022, and Yechury, a prominent communist leader, in September 2024.

Reflecting on the legacies of these late leaders could have strengthened the party’s campaign and resonated more with the electorate. The huge crowds paying respects to VS should have served as a wake-up call. Instead, it appears the party has failed to learn this lesson.