CPI-M and CM Vijayan upset with KV Thomas over his remarks

IANS May 6, 2025 509 views

KV Thomas, a veteran politician with a fascinating political journey, has stirred a hornet's nest by praising Oommen Chandy's contribution to the Vizhinjam Port project. His Facebook post has angered Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI-M leadership, who remained silent about Chandy's role during the port's inauguration. Thomas, who has transitioned from being a Congress leader to a CPI-M appointee, has a history of defying party lines and speaking his mind. The current controversy raises questions about his future in Kerala's political landscape.

"It would not be fair if I didn't express the role played by Chandy" - KV Thomas, Facebook Post
CPI-M and CM Vijayan upset with KV Thomas over his remarks
Kochi, May 6: The CPI-M and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan are deeply upset with former Congress leader K.V. Thomas, presently the representative of Kerala in New Delhi, over his remarks appreciating the role played by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in going forward with the now-commissioned Vizhinjam Port.

Key Points

1

Thomas praised Chandy's role in Vizhinjam Port despite CPI-M's silence

2

Political drama unfolds after controversial Facebook post

3

Thomas has complex relationship with Congress and CPI-M

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 2) dedicated the first phase of the Port.

On the day of commissioning, Vijayan and the State Ports Minister, V.N. Vasavan, spoke before PM Modi, but they did not mention a word about the role played by Chandy.

However, Thomas took to his Facebook and posted that it would not be fair if he didn't express the role played by Chandy, and it was under him that the foundation stone for the construction of the Vizhinjam Port was laid in 2015.

Incidentally, the Congress-led UDF leaders have condemned the way Vijayan and the Left government remained silent on the role played by Chandy and his government in going forward with the Port project.

As soon as the post of Thomas surfaced in the public domain, there was a lot of resentment against him, as this became fodder for the Congress party and its workers, who made the post go viral. Vijayan and the CPI-M are understood to have expressed their strong resentment at Thomas' plain speaking.

79-year-old Thomas was a close aide of former AICC president Sonia Gandhi and was a Union Minister with independent charge in the second UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh.

Thomas, in his long political career, won five terms to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Kerala Assembly and was a cabinet minister in the A.K. Antony cabinet.

But after he was denied his sitting Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Thomas became upset and started distancing himself from the Congress party and was cosying up with the CPI-M and Vijayan.

By then, Thomas, who decided to split with the Congress party, defied the Party High Command when he attended the 23rd CPI-M Party held at Kannur in 2022, and he was booted out when he appeared in the Thrikkakara Assembly by-election campaign of the Left candidate, which was inaugurated by Vijayan.

In 2023, Vijayan appointed Thomas as the Kerala representative in Delhi and was given a cabinet rank with a big pay packet, including other perks.

But with Thomas' statement now making both the CPI-M and Vijayan annoyed, it remains to be seen if he is going to be booted out or if the CM will pardon him for speaking the truth.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
KV Thomas is absolutely right in acknowledging Oommen Chandy's contribution. Development projects should be above party politics. Vijayan's government should have gracefully accepted the previous government's role. This petty behavior doesn't suit Kerala's progressive image. 🙏
S
Sujatha P.
As someone who has followed Kerala politics for decades, I'm not surprised by CPI-M's reaction. They never acknowledge others' work. But Thomas should have been more tactful - after all, he's eating from their plate now! Political survival requires some diplomacy.
M
Manoj V.
The Vizhinjam Port is a game-changer for Kerala's economy. Instead of fighting over credit, all parties should focus on making it successful. This constant bickering shows why development gets delayed in our state. #KeralaDeservesBetter
A
Anitha R.
Thomas chettan has always been known for speaking his mind. That's why people respected him in Congress. Now CPI-M is learning the hard way that you can't tame an old political warhorse! 😄
K
Krishna S.
While I support LDF generally, this reaction seems excessive. Vijayan should show magnanimity and acknowledge Chandy's role. After all, the port benefits all Keralites regardless of party affiliation. Let's rise above these petty politics.
P
Priya M.
The real question is - why is a 79-year-old still holding important positions? Kerala needs fresh blood and ideas in politics. This entire episode shows how our political system is dominated by the same old faces decade after decade.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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Tags:
KV Thomas Pinarayi Vijayan Oommen Chandy Vizhinjam Port Kerala Politics Congress CPI-M