The Communist Party of India (CPI), a crucial ally in Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), has publicly censured Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his perceived closeness to prominent Hindu community leader Vellappally Natesan. The rebuke came on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, following a review of the recent local body election results, where the LDF faced significant setbacks.
Open Disapproval from a Key Ally
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, did not mince words in expressing his party's disapproval. He explicitly stated that Vellappally Natesan "had not been assigned to give marks for the performance of the LDF regime." Viswam emphasized that this would not change in the future, delivering a stern warning: "LDF should not become Vellappally. He's not the face of the LDF."
The CPI's review concluded that Natesan's repeated anti-minority outbursts were a key factor in alienating Muslim voters, leading to the LDF's poor performance in minority-dominated areas during the civic polls. To illustrate his personal stance, Viswam drew a clear boundary, saying, "I may shake hands with Natesan, but I will never allow him to travel with me in my car."
The Controversial Car Ride and Justifications
Viswam's pointed remark about car travel was a direct reference to an incident in September this year. Chief Minister Vijayan had given Natesan a ride during his journey to Pamba for the Global Ayyappa Devotee Sangamam. This act occurred at a time when the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary was facing severe criticism for his anti-Muslim comments.
Vijayan has since defended his actions. Last week, he told the media he saw nothing wrong with it, questioning the narrative. "There had been an attempt to depict it as a big mistake. Can we say that he is untouchable in any manner?" the Chief Minister asked.
Natesan's Provocative Endorsement and Historical Grievances
The CPI's sharp reminder to Natesan followed the Ezhava leader's own strong endorsement of the Vijayan government. With a raised fist, Natesan had told the media that Pinarayi Vijayan would retain power for a third consecutive term after the Assembly elections in April-May 2026.
He contrasted the current regime with the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) rule, asking, "Was there a communal riot in Kerala in the last ten years? In the past when they were in power, there had been communal riots." He also blamed the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a UDF ally which held the education portfolio in the past, for the lack of educational institutions for his community in districts like Malappuram.
This ongoing criticism of the IUML by Natesan, despite the party being out of power for nearly a decade, has been a consistent feature in the months leading to the local elections. His claims that backward communities cannot breathe freely in Muslim-majority Malappuram have added to the communal tensions.
The public airing of dissent by the CPI, the second-largest partner in the LDF, highlights the internal friction within the coalition over strategic outreach and the political cost of associating with polarizing figures. It sets a tense backdrop for the crucial state assembly elections just a few months away.
