9 years as Kerala CM: Why Pinarayi Vijayan's legacy is a paradox

As the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections draw nearer, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has completed nine years in office, cementing his place as the longest-serving CPI(M) leader in the state’s history. His tenure has transformed Kerala’s political landscape as it brought in an unique blend of technocratic ambition with an ‘iron-fisted’ grip on power.

However, as the state stands at a crossroads, Pinarayi’s legacy is a paradox — a blend of transformative infrastructure, institutional erosion, and growing political contradictions that threaten to unravel the Left’s dominance.

His ascent to power in 2016 marked a departure from the CPI(M)’s traditional collective leadership. With his organisational prowess, he swiftly consolidated control over both the government and the party, totally sidelining the dissenters and reshaping the CPI(M) into a disciplined, top-down machine.

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Unlike his predecessors, who leaned on ideological rhetoric, Pinarayi embraced a more technocratic vision and practical mode of functioning, prioritising measurable deliverables and its outcomes over party dogma.

Amid the devastating floods and a string of health crises — from Nipah to COVID-19 — Pinarayi Vijayan successfully connected with the people as a 'protector Chief Minister', firmly at the helm of the state machinery and reassuring the public that he stood with them through it all.

Initiatives like the Nava Kerala Mission, aimed at rebuilding post-2018 flood infrastructure, and K-FON, a state-wide free internet project, underscored this shift. These programmes projected Pinarayi as a moderniser, willing to embrace technology and public-private partnerships — a stark contrast to the CPI(M)’s anti-liberalisation roots.

Becoming too powerful?

His ability to navigate Kerala’s fractious bureaucracy and deliver results earned him admiration, even among critics. Yet, this centralisation came at a cost, as party veterans and grassroots workers found themselves marginalised, their voices drowned out by Pinarayi’s singular authority.

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Tenure of infrastructure upgrade

Pinarayi’s tenure has been defined by visible infrastructure gains. By pushing through the GAIL pipeline project and acquiring land for National Highway development—initiatives previously deemed unfeasible and abandoned by the UDF government—Pinarayi Vijayan positioned himself as a decisive and delivering administrator.

Post-flood reconstruction saw upgraded roads, bridges, and health facilities, earning praise for resilience. The ambitious semi-high-speed rail project, K-Rail, though yet to be materialised, promised to modernise transport, despite environmental and displacement concerns.

“I take immense pride in the fact that Kerala has introduced transformative changes in governance. We have pioneered a new democratic model by publishing an annual progress report, appraising citizens the extent to which we have been able to implement the promises extended to the people in our manifesto – a record of sorts, in the history of Indian democracy” said Pinarayi Vijayan in the wake of the fourth-year celebration of the current government.

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Presence of deep state?

However, beneath the surface, institutional decay and the alleged presence of a sort of deep state — especially within the police, which appears to align with the Union government's stance on critical matters — have been raised by several critics.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, is yet to address the Hindutva influence within the police force. His over-reliance on the bureaucracy has caused dissatisfaction within the party's rank and file as well.

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Unease over gold smuggling case

Pinarayi Vijayan managed to weather the storm of the 2020 gold smuggling scandal despite central agencies implicating individuals close to his office.

But now he appears far less at ease now as investigations involving his own daughter gain prominence. Instead of confronting the issue directly, he has often chosen to deflect criticism, accusing the media and opposition of spreading 'fabrications.' This growing unease has begun to erode public trust, even among long-time Left supporters, who remain troubled by the ethical implications of the deal involving the Chief Minister’s daughter—regardless of whether it amounts to outright corruption.

Pinarayi’s tenure is a study in contradictions. He has cultivated a pro-industry, pro-technology image, championing projects like K-Rail, IT hubs to and lately private universities to attract investment. This pragmatic approach has won over urban voters and business elites, but it sits uneasily with the CPI(M)’s anti-capitalist legacy. Traditional Left constituencies — OBCs, Dalits, fisherfolk — have grown restive, alienated by perceived neglect of their concerns.

Protests against projects like Adani sponsored Vizhinjam port and K-Rail have further strained ties with these groups, who see Pinarayi’s development model as elitist. The CPI(M)’s once-unshakable rural base is now showing signs of fracture, with opposition parties, specifically the BJP, capitalising on this discontent.

Also Read: CPI(M) leaders defend Kerala CM amid corruption charges against daughter

Balancing act

Pinarayi’s balancing act — modernising Kerala while maintaining Leftist credentials — has also strained party unity. Younger CPI(M) members, inspired by global progressive movements, question the leadership’s focus on industrial growth over social justice. Meanwhile, older cadres lament the erosion of ideological purity, as the party courts corporate investment.

Perhaps the most striking transformation under Pinarayi is the CPI(M)’s evolution into a “Captain’s party”. Billboards, rallies, and social media campaigns centre on his ‘captain’ image, many see as a departure from the party’s collective ethos. This cult of personality – something he used to publicly denounce - has strengthened Pinarayi’s hold but raises questions about the CPI(M)’s future. With no clear successor in sight, the party risks a leadership vacuum when Pinarayi eventually steps down.

This shift has also created a generational disconnect. Younger voters, while appreciative of infrastructure gains, are disillusioned by the government’s heavy-handedness and lack of ideological clarity. Student unions, once a CPI(M) stronghold, have seen declining influence as youth gravitate toward issue-based activism. The party’s inability to nurture new and quality leadership could prove costly in a state known for its politically engaged electorate.

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Tough administrator

Pinarayi Vijayan is seen as a tough administrator who has never sought favour from the media. From being brutally assaulted during the Emergency under the Congress regime to weathering factional battles within the CPI(M) — where the media often sided with his rival, the veteran V.S. Achuthanandan — Pinarayi has consistently chosen confrontation over conciliation. He has fought both political adversaries and a significant section of the legacy media. He has often been criticised for keeping the media at arm’s length — and, at times, for outright showing them the door.

But once he chose to directly engage with the public after the 2018 floods, he quickly became a major centre of attention. His daily briefings during the COVID-19 crisis projected the image of a composed, caring leader — a shift that played a key role in his historic re-election.

However, Pinarayi Vijayan has once again retreated into a shell during his second inning, significantly reducing his media interactions and appearing visibly irked when questioned about his family.

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Opposition targeting his daughter

The opposition has latched onto his, zeroing in on his daughter , Veena T—who is also the wife of PWD Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas—making it a central point of political attack.

"Chief Minister need not respond angrily to media questions regarding the SFIO's actions against his daughter. Given the position he holds, accusations and criticisms are inevitable”, said Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan. "The case should be dealt with legally, and we have no issue with that. As long as he is the Chief Minister, he will face criticism and accusations. Therefore, there is no point in him getting upset with the media or the opposition," Satheesan added.

Apart from all these, the financial crisis, with the Union government withholding the devolution of funds and states fighting it out in court, has become a central issue for the state government. How well Pinarayi Vijayan navigates this challenge will be crucial, especially as nearly all welfare schemes have been severely affected.

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Legacy is CPI(M)'s strength and weakness

As the CPI(M) gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, eying a third term, Pinarayi’s legacy will be both its greatest strength and weakness. His infrastructure achievements and organisational discipline give the party a strong foundation. The opposition, led by a fragmented Congress and a still-emerging BJP, has yet to present a cohesive alternative. Yet, signs of voter fatigue are evident. Scandals, institutional erosion, and alienation of key constituencies have dented Pinarayi’s invincibility.

The CPI(M)’s campaign will likely lean heavily on Pinarayi’s personal brand, framing him as a visionary who modernised Kerala. But this strategy carries risks. If controversies continue to mount, or if opposition parties successfully mobilise disaffected voters, the Left could face an uphill battle. The BJP, in particular, has gained ground among the Christian and OBC constituencies, exploiting discontent.

Battle with Centre

The litigation to uphold federal fiscal rights with the Union government could play a crucial role in Pinarayi Vijayan's chances of securing a historic third term. While many in the Left think that he should have adopted a more aggressive against the BJP-led government at the Centre, like his Tamil Nadu counterpart MK Stalin, Vijayan is holding his cards close, trusting in a favourable directive from the Supreme Court. This, along with the outcome of the SC appeal by the CBI against his acquittal in the SNC Lavalin case, may serve as his trump card in 2026.

Pinarayi’s decade in power has been transformative, but its contradictions loom large. His centralised control has delivered results but stifled dissent. His technocratic vision has modernised Kerala but alienated traditional supporters. As 2026 approaches, the question is whether Pinarayi’s iron grip can hold firm—or whether the fractures in his image will prove his undoing.

For now, Kerala watches, wary of a future that hinges on one man’s legacy.