Thiruvananthapuram, April 29 (NationPress) Within the CPI(M), once characterized by the dominance of its General Secretary, the distribution of power has notably shifted, particularly in Kerala.

Since Pinarayi Vijayan took office as Chief Minister in May 2016, the internal dynamics of the party have experienced a quiet yet significant evolution.

At the national level, the CPI(M) has faced considerable challenges. After more than three decades of governance in West Bengal and over two decades in Tripura, its influence has diminished to a marginal status in both regions. Amidst this backdrop, Vijayan, with his extensive experience (1998–2015) as Kerala’s party secretary, has emerged as a towering figure not only in the state but also within the national party framework.

Vijayan further solidified his authority by accomplishing an extraordinary milestone in Kerala's political landscape — steering the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to a consecutive victory in the 2021 Assembly elections. Major leaders within the state CPI(M) either aligned with him or acted under his direction, and even at the national level, general secretaries like Sitaram Yechury occasionally had to accommodate Vijayan’s political influence.

The leadership transition from Yechury to Prakash Karat, who had a cordial relationship with Vijayan, further enhanced the Kerala leader's standing.

When it came time to select a successor after Yechury, Vijayan showcased his tactical skills once more. Despite his cool rapport with senior Politburo member M.A. Baby, he recognized Baby as a likely candidate for promotion and opted not to contest his ascent, facilitating a seamless, unanimous selection.

However, for seasoned political analysts, Baby’s ascension to general secretary appears to have altered little. “Those who know Vijayan understood he would never take a back seat,” remarked a political observer who wished to remain anonymous.

Shortly after Baby’s promotion, images circulated of Vijayan inaugurating the opulent new State Party headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, with Baby, the party’s newly appointed national leader, positioned conspicuously behind him. The implication was unmistakable — Vijayan continues to be the genuine power broker.

Further evidence of Vijayan’s strong grip on the party surfaced with the sidelining of senior leader P.K. Sreemathi.

Although CPI(M) regulations stipulate retirement from party roles at the age of 75, exceptions can be made for central positions. Sreemathi, serving as All-India President of the Women's Democratic Association, was permitted to retain her status as a Central Committee member after the recent 24th Party Congress in Madurai.

Yet, when the new state committee in Kerala was formed, Sreemathi was notably absent. Reports later emerged indicating that Vijayan had personally instructed her to refrain from attending state unit meetings unless explicitly invited, even with her central committee title.

Throughout this period, M.A. Baby appeared to struggle to justify the decisions being made, failing to convincingly assert his authority — further emphasizing the perception that while he may hold the title of general secretary, it is Vijayan who directs both the government and the CPI(M).

In the corridors of AKG Centre and beyond, the consensus seems clear — for Pinarayi Vijayan, M.A. Baby is merely a “baby” in the broader power dynamics.