CPI flags KC(M)‘s attempt to assert dominance in LDF

A relentless push by the Kerala Congress (M) to expand its influence within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) appears to have placed the Communist Party of India (CPI) torn between cooperation and competition with the regional outfit.

Underscoring the simmering tensions in Central Travancore Left politics, CPI’s district conference in Idukki, which began on Saturday, voiced concerns over a deliberate bid to overrun its position within the ruling coalition. A working report presented at the conference noted that the KC(M) has been asserting itself as the second-largest constituent in the LDF, a position traditionally held by the CPI.

“The Kerala Congress is active only in a few pockets of the district, with its main strength concentrated in the Idukki Assembly constituency. In other constituencies, however, its presence is minimal,” the report observed.

Political strength

It further pointed out that based on the political strength across Idukki district, the KC(M) ranks sixth, while the CPI holds the third position. With this, the long-standing rivalry between the two parties within the coalition looks poised to escalate.

This is not the first time the CPI has publicly contested the KC(M)’s growing ambitions. In its working report presented at the 2022 Kottayam district conference, the CPI had made similar criticism of the KC(M), led by Jose K. Mani.

The tension between the two parties was also evident after the 2021 Assembly elections when the KC(M) high-power committee lashed out at the CPI for its election analysis. The CPI report had blamed the KC(M) for the LDF’s losses in the Pala and Kaduthuruthy constituencies. The KC(M) leadership, in turn, accused the CPI of harbouring unfounded fears about losing its status within the LDF.

The roots of the skirmish can be traced back to the previous Assembly elections when the CPI was compelled to relinquish the Kanjirappally seat in Kottayam to the KC(M).