Pinarayi Vijayan confronts party revolt after LDF's crushing loss in Kerala election

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a landslide defeat in Kerala's Assembly elections on May 4, 2026, dropping to 35 seats as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a 102‑seat majority. Former Chief Minister and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, who had remained largely silent after the result, broke his silence on May 19, declaring that the Left would return strongly and pledging to support welfare programmes of the new government.

Within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI‑M), district committee and secretariat meetings have erupted with unprecedented criticism of Vijayan. Leaders have blamed his perceived arrogance, inaccessible public image and body‑language, with party state secretary M. V. Govindan noting that even his own son questioned Vijayan’s demeanor. Cabinet colleagues such as M. B. Rajesh and Veena George also faced criticism. Some meetings have seen calls for Vijayan’s removal as Leader of the Opposition and for Govindan to step down. The internal unrest marks a turbulent phase for the CPI‑M as it grapples with the electoral rout.