The two key Communist parties — CPI and CPI(M) — whose political relevance has been fading at the national level, are looking for new leaders in Kerala, where the two still enjoy clout but are struggling to hold their eroding bases.

The CPI(M), the larger of the two and the main opposition party, will be electing a new State secretary to replace Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been holding the post since 1998, at the State conference opening at Alappuzha on Friday.

The CPI, a partner in the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, will be electing its secretary in a few days to take the place of Pannian Ravindran, in a far less spectacular way.

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and half a dozen party Politburo members will be supervising the election of a new State committee and secretary on February 23.

The 71-year-old, tough-talking Vijayan is stepping down because the amended party rules do not allow party functionaries to hold office for more than three successive terms.

The highlight of Vijayan’s 16 years at the helm has been his running feud with former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, one of the first-generation leaders of the party.

Over the past decade, the rivalry between the “Pinarayi group” and the “VS group” has deeply wounded the party organisation and demoralised the cadres.

Though the bigger Pinarayifaction had attempted to dump Achuthanandan several times in the past, his mass and media support and capacity to win votes for the LDF saved him. However, the top party leadership backs the “official” faction.

At 91, Achuthanandan continues with his ideological and organisational campaign against Vijayan’s faction. Just two days ahead of the State conference, his “alternative draft” to the State committee report found its way to the media. In this document, he has launched a scathing personal attack on Vijayan’s style of functioning, his “arrogance and dictatorial ways” and his leadership flaws.

The recent elections to various levels of the party have established the Pinarayi faction’s clout in the party. Hence, the next State secretary will certainly be someone close to him.

Pinarayi’s man

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, former Home Minister and Politburo member, is considered the most probable choice. Vijayan is said to be the LDF’s chief ministerial material for next year’s Assembly election.

For the CPI, the choice of a new secretary means picking one of the two: KE Ismayil and Kanam Rajendran, both considered level-headed leaders.

However, the new secretaries of both the parties are set for a tough time. Not only have they been losing support, but a new rival is staring in their faces — the BJP, which is fast consolidating its Hindu support base.

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