Portraying a picture of unity at a joint press conference of top district leaders, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Thiruvananthapuram district leadership in Kerala on Friday (July 10, 2026) rejected reports of internal differences and factionalism within the party.

The absence of CPI(M) leader and former General Education Minister V. Sivankutty from a protest programmed organised by the CPI(M) at Vizhinjam against the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited’s decision to divest its 49% stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited to Switzerland-based MSC Group had led to speculations.

Mr. Sivankutty, who appeared at the joint press conference with CPI(M) district secretary V. Joy as well as CPI(M) leaders Kadakampally Surendran and D.K. Murali, rubbished the reports of him having differences with the district leadership.

Mr. Joy said the protest programme at Vizhinjam, inaugurated by CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, was organised by the Kovalam area committee of the party.

“The CPI(M) has been organising several protest programmes regarding the Adani deal as well as against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s misgovernance in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Not every protest is attended by all leaders. Only State committee member T.N. Seema, who represents the Kovalam area committee in the State committee, was present at the Vizhinjam protest. Such fake narratives are spread by some sections with ulterior motives to destroy this party and take public attention away from the protests,” said Mr. Joy.

Mr. Sivankutty said a section of “the anti-communist media, which have been spreading such propaganda, have even turned the happenings in party branch committee meetings into major news stories.”

“Even now, a CPI(M) protest is ongoing in front of the Secretariat. None of us are present there. Will you portray that as factionalism too?” asked Mr. Sivankutty.

Refutes Mayor’s charges on waste dump

He also rubbished the allegations of Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh that CPI(M) leaders were attempting to dump waste all around the city to portray the BJP-led administration in a bad light.

Meanwhile, Mr. Surendran said the incident at the district hospital, Neyyattinkara, where a patient complaining of chest pain collapsed and died after he was allegedly forced to stand in a queue for over half-an-hour, was shocking.

“The authorities cannot wash their hands off this by turning the security staff into scapegoats. The Health Minister is also answerable. A comprehensive investigation should be conducted to ascertain the reasons that led to the incident and fix responsibility,” he said.