CPI deserves deputy opposition leader post in Kerala, says Binoy Viswam

Kottayam: CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam on Tuesday reiterated the demand for the post of deputy opposition leader. Addressing reporters in Kottayam, Viswam said that CPI deserved the post and said that the party would never backtrack from this decision. He also said that discussions regarding this had been held with CPM. "If needed, further discussions will be held," he said. Viswam also said that CPI's defeat in Vaikom and elsewhere would be scrutinized. "This defeat is seen as a failure," he said. To analyze the party candidate's defeat in Vaikom, CPI district executive and district council meetings were held for two days at the Kottayam district council office. Viswam, state executive member P Prasad and others participated in the meeting that began on Tuesday. Prasad stated that the election results of all constituencies would be scrutinized. CPI had no observation of cross-voting as alleged by Kerala Congress (M). After the district executives and district councils, the state council and state executive would also evaluate the party's defeat. Necessary corrections would be made in a manner understood by both the party and the people, said Prasad.