Kerala's Left in a tizzy over choice of 'neo-lib' economist as CM advisor

After the embarrassing exit of the legal advisor to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the appointment of his economic advisor is the latest controversy dogging the Left Democratic Front (LDF). 

The decision to appoint Gita Gopinath, an economist from Harvard University, who is also an advocate of 'neo-liberal''  policies, kicked off a debate over the conflicts and paradoxes in the proclaimed policies of Left Government in Kerala and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM). 
 

Also read: Honeymoon jolt: Kerala CM's controversial legal adviser quits
 

Critics say that the appointment of Gopinath, who praised the Narendra Modi government's liberal economic policy initiatives, is an indicator of the sudden rightward turn of the Left in Kerala. 'What about our ideological moorings,' is the not-so-muffled lament. They point out that the Harvard-based economist who hails from Kannur, the home district of Kerala CM, is a supporter of privatisation of public sector companies and the Land Acquisition Bill of 2014 against which the CPM-led public protests across the state.
 

 Also read: Political storm in Kerala after CM's legal advisor appears for lottery baron Santiago Martin
 

The detractors of the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala were quick to grab the opportunity to 'expose' what they called the 'bogus Left' in Kerala and demanded the CPM to come out with an explanation. Some even tried to read between the lines and said that the selection Gopinath was a pre-emptive move by Vijayan to sideline Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac, who is also an eminent economist. 

"Why would the Pinarayi Vijayan seek the help of an economic advisor when Thomas Isaac is in the Cabinet," said state Congress Chief VM Sudheeran. 
 

Also read: Former legal advisor to Kerala CM rakes up factionalism in CPM; points fingers at VS
 

Though the partners in the LDF avoid public statements over the controversy, all is not well within the front. Reports say that the CPM Politburo will discuss the issue shortly. According to media reports, the party central leadership was kept in the dark over the appointment of the 'liberal' economist as the CM's advisor. But on the record, Politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai tried to play it down saying that the government is at liberty to appointment anyone. The government can either accept or reject the expert's suggestions, he added. 

• Kerala Chief MInister's economic advisor
• geetha gopinath
• LDF government