Will Vijayan’s gamble pay off as it’s happening in CPI-M (IANS Analysis)

Thiruvananthapuram, March 12 : Even though the CPI-M in Kerala has started the election campaign, the question now many are asking — will Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s gamble pay off, at a time when he is seeking to retain power in the April 6 Assembly elections.
The cadre-based party that the CPI-M is, however was shocked to see huge protests break out in Kozhikode, and a few other districts, though not at the intensity in what happened in Kuttiyadi in Kozhikode.
The previous similar outbursts that took place was way back in 2006, when the then Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan was refused a seat by the CPI-M.
A media critic revealed that this outburst was expected and it was brewing ever since the word spread that five of their top state minister’s would not be renominated.
“But, not many in the party or its followers ever thought that as many as 33 sitting legislators would be booted out. Even though the general norm that anyone who has had two consecutive terms would not be eligible, those who had just one term were also dropped. This is a list for and by Vijayan and if this strategy clicks, his stock will rise like never before, but if it fails, then it could be difficult days ahead for him,” said the critic, who did not wish to be identified.
Vijayan, who already is the last word in the party and in the government decided to put his foot down and took another calculated gamble, when he gave huge importance to new ally-Kerala Congress (M)-led by Jose K.Mani and much to the displeasure of key allies like the CPI and others handed over 13 seats.