Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came in for criticism at the Thiruvananthapuram district conference of the CPM.

Delegates said the Chief Minister had delayed visiting the Ockhi affected areas in Thiruvananthapuram and should have acted with more empathy.

Tourism Minister Kadakampallly Surendran’s private secretary Kallara Madhu was more vocal in his criticism. He said Kadakampallly and Minister Mercykuttyamma reached the coastal areas at the right time.

He also targeted the police for its inefficiency even as the Chief Minister, who takes care of Home portfolio, was present on the dais.

Delegates flayed Finance Minister Thomas Issac for misleading the party on the issue of GST.

They were also critical of CPM chief Sitaram Yechury who they accused was ambitious for getting positions. He was depressed for not getting nominated to Rajya Sabha, they alleged.

Some of them demanded removal of CPI from the coalition as it was openly criticising the Government and the CPM.

They said the real Opposition Leader was CPI State chief Kanam Rajendran and not Ramesh Chennithala.