The Communist Party of India (CPI) has taken a firm stand against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) in Kerala, demanding the post of Deputy Opposition Leader in the state assembly. The CPI state leadership has convened a meeting to discuss the issue, warning that they will not participate in joint parliamentary party meetings or accept other legislative responsibilities if their demand is not met.

The dispute has escalated after bilateral talks between CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam and the CPM leadership at the AKG Centre ended in failure. The CPI plans to nominate Ollur MLA and former minister K. Rajan for the post. Out of the 35 opposition alliance MLAs, CPI holds eight seats, and the party leadership argues that as the second-largest constituent in the Left Democratic Front (LDF), they deserve proper representation.

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The CPM has rejected the demand, arguing that the post of Deputy Opposition Leader is not constitutionally mandated and pointing to the precedent of CPM holding the position during previous opposition tenures. CPI has strongly criticized this stance, pointing out that CPM has also positioned K.N. Balagopal as the second-in-command in the assembly. The ongoing rift has prevented the LDF from convening its parliamentary party meeting despite the assembly session being underway.