Binoy Viswam, the CPI Kerala State secretary, said on Friday that the party would stake a claim to the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Viswam said the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly would be from the CPI(M).

However, he said the CPI would seek the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

“There are several technicalities involved. But the LDF has the strength to overcome them. There has been a deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly before, and it can happen again,” he said.

He also said the CPI had not raised any objection to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan becoming the Leader of the Opposition, adding that it was for the CPI(M) to decide the matter.

Mr Viswam said the LDF, which comprises several parties working towards a common objective, needed to be strengthened further.

“In an alliance, there should be political culture, dialogue, discussions and mutual understanding,” he said.

He said there were several reasons for the electoral setback and that no single party alone could be held responsible for it.

“We are not ready to criticise the CPI(M). Corrective measures are needed from both the CPI(M) and the CPI. We should not isolate the CPI(M) at this stage. The most important thing now is to ensure the unity of the LDF,” he said.

Mr. Viswam said the CPI was a key constituent of the LDF and fully understood the importance of the alliance.

“The CPI will raise issues publicly, but not with the intention of weakening the Left front,” he said.

He also said the CPI had played a role in correcting the CPI(M)-led government over the signing of the PM-SHRI agreement with the Centre.

“There was a move to go ahead with PM SHRI, but the attempt was identified and corrected collectively by the LDF. The CPI had a role in that correction, and everyone knows it,” he said.

He said the foundation of the LDF was rooted in Left values and ideology.

“The CPI has played a role in preserving Left values, and that role will continue in the future,” he added.

The LDF suffered a major setback in the Assembly election, winning only 35 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.

The CPI, the second-largest constituent of the LDF, won eight seats.