With the CPI-M preparing for its state conference next month, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is all set to ensure there is no one to challenge him in the state and he has complete control over the party – and will be hoping his clout will give him a larger say in the party’s national affairs.
Ahead of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state conference in Thrissur from 22 to 25 February, he has ensured that his is the final word in all the 14 districts.
Gone are the days when the party was deeply divided between Vijayan and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, who, even though he led the campaign from the 2016 Assembly elections was upstaged by the former and prevented from occupying the chief minister's chair a second time.
Since then, it has been Vijayan all the way, with only a small faction left with the veteran Achuthanandan.