No convoy or commandos, Pinarayi reaches AKG Centre to discuss poll debacle, opposition leader to be decided today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pinarayi Vijayan arrived without a police escort to attend the state secretariat meeting convened to discuss CPM’s poll debacle in the assembly elections. The arrival was similar of the time when he came in AKG Center’s car while serving as the party secretary. There was no police commandos or other convoys.

Pinarayi Vijayan reached Thiruvananthapuram from Kannur the other day. He reached Cliff House with only two police control room vehicles which were in the airport. Pinarayi travelled in AKG Centre’s vehicle. V Sivankutty, V Joy and A A Rahim had arrived at the airport to receive him.

Meantime, the state secretariat meeting is likely to take a decision today on who should be the opposition leader. There are speculations that Pinarayi Vijayan will not take up the post in the wake of the defeat. He may cite responsibility for the defeat and health issues for withdrawing from the post. However, the party leadership is of the stand that an experienced leader should take the responsibility. There is also a lack of other strong leaders.

In 2011, when V S Achuthanandan became the opposition leader, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was given the post of deputy leader. Similarly, there is a possibility of making him the opposition leader and appoint another senior as deputy leader. Central Committee member K N Balagopal is the possible candidate. Even if Pinarayi steps aside, first priority will be for Balagopal. State Secretariat member Saji Cherian, P A Muhammed Riyas and others are also on the list of possible candidates. Further discussions will be held only after Pinarayi Vijayan clarifies his stand.

The party leadership is not ready to put the responsibility for the defeat entirely on the chief minister. The central leadership also has the same stand. Meanwhile, the name of the media WhatsApp group of the chief minister's office has been changed to opposition media. The display picture is photo of Pinarayi Vijayan.