CPI-M rift widens in Thiruvananthapuram as Joy stays, Sivankutty revolts

Internal factionalism within the Thiruvananthapuram CPI(M) intensified after senior leader V. Sivankutty boycotted a District Secretariat meeting. Sivankutty is openly protesting the leadership's decision to retain sitting MLA V. Joy as the powerful District Secretary

Thiruvananthapuram: The simmering factional battle within the CPI-M in the Kerala capital has intensified, with senior party leader and former minister V. Sivankutty openly expressing his dissatisfaction over the decision to retain V. Joy as the Thiruvananthapuram district Secretary.

Sivankutty, on Wednesday, stayed away from the district secretariat meeting, signalling his displeasure over the party’s decision to bring back Joy to the powerful post.

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The CPI-M leadership had recently reached an understanding that Joy, who is also an MLA, would continue as the district Secretary.

The decision was taken at a crucial meeting of CPI-M state Committee members from Thiruvananthapuram district held at the AKG Centre under the leadership of party state Secretary M.V. Govindan.

Senior leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, also participated in the discussions.

Joy had temporarily stepped down from the Secretary’s post to contest the Assembly election, with Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim taking over as interim district Secretary.

According to CPI(M) organisational practice, MLAs normally relinquish the post of district secretary.

However, the intense internal divisions within the Thiruvananthapuram unit have complicated the issue.

The latest dispute is also linked to the changing political fortunes of Sivankutty, once considered one of the tallest leaders of the CPI-M in the capital district.

Sivankutty lost his Nemom Assembly seat to BJP state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the recent election.

With both the MLA seat and ministerial post gone, Sivankutty was reportedly keen to secure the Thiruvananthapuram district Secretary’s position, considered one of the most influential organisational posts among the CPI-M’s 14 district committees.

The post provides significant control over the party machinery in the state capital.

However, the leadership’s decision to retain Joy appears to have frustrated those who expected a change at the district level.

Party insiders say Sivankutty’s opposition is centred around the dual position issue, arguing that an MLA should not simultaneously hold the district Secretary post.

Critics within the party point out that the same objection was not raised earlier when Joy held both positions.

They allege that organisational principles are being interpreted according to political convenience.

Sivankutty, whose influence in the capital district has been built over decades, is now facing a difficult phase after the electoral setback and health-related challenges.

His apparent dissatisfaction has added another layer to the ongoing power struggle within the Thiruvananthapuram CPI-M.

The final resolution of the Joy-Sivankutty face-off is expected to have a major impact on the future balance of power in the party’s strongest district unit.