Flex boards against Vijayaraghavan at Tirur spark fresh row

A fresh political row has erupted after large flex boards appeared at Tirur targeting CPI(M) Polit Bureau member A. Vijayaraghavan with derogatory remarks against him.

The boards, put up under the banner ‘Save CPI(M),’ criticised Mr. Vijayaragahvan, alleging that he had “aligned with communal forces” and “betrayed the party.”

The display has triggered debate within political circles and among CPI(M) workers, with discussions spilling over onto social media, where users have taken opposing positions on the issue.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of a viral video showing Mr. Vijayaraghavan in the presence of a Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) leader, which had already sparked political criticism and online reactions.

Rejecting the allegations, Mr. Vijayaraghavan clarified that the video was taken at a housewarming ceremony of a party colleague’s relative and that there was no political meeting involved. He said he attended the event as a guest and denied any official interaction with SDPI leaders.

The video is linked to the housewarming of CPI(M) district committee member Gafoor P. Lillis’s brother, where SDPI Tirur municipal vice president Shafi was seen singing karaoke, while Mr. Vijayaraghavan was having food.

Both Mr. Vijayaraghavan and Mr. Shafi have denied any political meeting, alleging that the footage was being misused to spread misinformation. Mr. Vijayaraghavan also accused right-wing groups of circulating the video with malicious intent.

The CPI(M) Malappuram district secretariat issued a statement rejecting the allegations, saying there was no official meeting between Mr. Vijayaraghavan and any SDPI leader.

Despite these clarifications, the appearance of the flex boards in a CPI(M) stronghold like Tirur has put the party on the defensive.