Published Sep 15, 2026 | 6:28 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2026 | 6:28 PM
CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan.
Synopsis: The CPI(M) has reshuffled its Keralam State Secretariat after reviewing successive electoral setbacks, inducting P Jayarajan, MB Rajesh, V Sivankutty and John Brittas. In a rare move, the party also censured State Secretary MV Govindan over his handling of political issues. The party resolved to address organisational shortcomings and step up its campaign against communalism.
The CPI(M) has reshuffled its Keralam State Secretariat after reviewing the party’s successive electoral setbacks, inducting P Jayarajan, MB Rajesh, V Sivankutty and John Brittas into the body.
State Secretary MV Govindan was censured at the party’s extended State committee meeting over statements and his handling of political issues that members said had left the organisation on the defensive – an unusual step against a sitting State secretary.
The decisions were taken at the three-day extended State committee meeting, which concluded at the AKG Memorial Hall in Kozhikode on Tuesday, 15 September.
The meeting reviewed the CPI(M)-led Left’s performance in the Lok Sabha, local-body and Assembly elections and discussed organisational lapses and shortcomings in handling political issues.
Govindan declined to elaborate when asked about the criticism.
“These are organisational matters. We will move towards a corrective process in every sense. Mistakes made by individuals, including myself, have been discussed. What kind of discussion would it be without discussing the Secretary? The party will adopt the necessary stance after considering all discussions. One should only say what needs to be said. We will correct our mistakes in every way,” Govindan said.
P Jayarajan, MB Rajesh and V Sivankutty have been added to the State Secretariat. Central Committee members TP Ramakrishnan and TM Thomas Isaac will continue in the Secretariat. John Brittas, a Central Committee invitee, will also join the body.
Susan Kodi has been inducted into the State Committee.
SFI All-India president Adarsh M Saji, DYFI national centre functionary Jaick C Thomas, DYFI State secretary M Vijin, SFI State secretary PS Sanjeev, SFI president V Sivaprasad, N Sukanya, OS Ambika, Zubaida Isaac and Prabha Varma have been made permanent invitees to the State Committee.
The extended State committee decided to strengthen the party organisationally, politically and ideologically and launch a campaign against communalism and the ‘flawed policies’ of the Centre and the State governments.
The implementation of the decisions will be reviewed after six months. Similar extended meetings will be held at the district level, bringing together party members from district and area committees and leaders of class and mass organisations. State Secretariat and Central Committee members will participate in regional-level meetings.
Govindan said the party would proceed on the basis of the decisions taken at the extended meeting and address the organisational and political shortcomings identified during the discussions.
Also Read: CMRL-Exalogic case: ED letter puts Riyas, Veena under fresh scrutiny
The extended meeting also adopted a resolution accusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of pursuing a “political witch-hunt” against CPI(M) Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan, State Secretariat member Mohammed Riyas and his family. The party said it would counter the ED action “both legally and politically”.
The resolution defended the business dealings between Exalogic, a company owned by Veena Vijayan, and CMRL. It said the transaction was based on a legal agreement, payments were made through bank accounts, and applicable Income Tax and GST obligations were met.
The party alleged that the Income Tax Settlement Board’s reference to the “daughter of a top political leader in Keralam” was made without hearing Exalogic or its owner and formed part of a politically motivated campaign.
It rejected allegations in the CMRL case, saying complaints raised earlier had been considered by the Vigilance Court, the High Court and the Supreme Court.
The CPI(M) also alleged that the ED’s latest communication to the State Police Chief merely repeated allegations earlier raised by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan. It accused the agency of selectively pursuing those allegations while ignoring references to payments allegedly received by members of the previous UDF Cabinet.
The resolution further alleged that statements concerning hawala transactions involving Riyas had been obtained through coercion and subsequently retracted through an affidavit.
The CPI(M) accused the BJP-led Centre of using central investigative agencies against political opponents and cited the cases involving former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren as examples of a nationwide pattern of political persecution.
It also criticised the Congress and the UDF for supporting the actions of central agencies in Keralam while the Congress has protested against their alleged misuse at the national level.
