{"data":{"prismicArticle":{"uid":"pinarayi-vijayan-hero-or-villain","tags":["politics"],"first_publication_date":"2026-04-11T10:54:16+0000","last_publication_date":"2026-04-11T15:50:47+0000","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Pinarayi Vijayan, hero or villain?"},"rating":null,"datetime":"2026-04-11T10:50:00+0000","img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/88730e3e-b4eb-4385-adfc-e718234ed0f7_vijayan.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"embed":{"embed_url":null,"thumbnail_url":null,"author_url":null,"title":null},"content":{"raw":[{"text":"As Kerala awaits election results, one figure looms larger than any other in the state’s political landscape, Pinarayi Vijayan. Now 80, the veteran CPI(M) leader is seeking a historic third-consecutive term as Chief Minister, a feat no leader in Kerala’s political history has achieved. "},{"text":"Vijayan’s political style has always been defined by a tough, no-nonsense demeanor, markedly different from his Congress counterparts."},{"text":"Leaders like K. Karunakaran, A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy, who each served multiple terms as Chief Minister, were widely known for their affable public presence and easy accessibility."},{"text":"Within the CPI(M), only E.K. Nayanar, remembered for his humour and mass appeal, broke the mould of the typically-stern Left leader."},{"text":"Even V.S. Achuthanandan, though often seen as serious and uncompromising, enjoyed a strong emotional connect with ordinary people."},{"text":"Vijayan, however, has cultivated an image of authority that often bordered on intimidation."},{"text":"His sharp responses to the media, firm handling of party colleagues, officials, and even ordinary workers have reinforced his image as a strong, sometimes unyielding leader."},{"text":"Following the setback the Left suffered in the local body elections held in December, the CPI(M) recalibrated its approach."},{"text":"From the start of the year, the government launched an extensive and high-decibel public outreach and advertising campaign, prominently featuring Vijayan."},{"text":"The effort was aimed at projecting stability, governance achievements, and continuity."},{"text":"With a record voter turnout, including 81 per cent participation among women, the Congress-led UDF is projecting confidence, claiming it could cross the 100 seat mark in the 140 member Assembly."},{"text":"In contrast, Vijayan and the Left leadership insist there is quiet support for the government’s decade long performance and maintain that a return to power remains within reach."},{"text":"Some Left legislators, however, now acknowledge the contest is tighter than expected, though they remain hopeful of securing around 80 seats."},{"text":"Political observers also point to a strategic debate within the Left, whether the campaign’s heavy emphasis on Vijayan helped or hurt the party."},{"text":"Some argue that stepping aside in favour of a widely popular leader like K.K. Shailaja might have made a third term smoother for the Left."},{"text":"As the results approach, one reality is clear, victory will cement Vijayan’s legacy as one of Kerala’s most dominant political figures."},{"text":"Defeat, however, will invite intense scrutiny of both strategy and leadership."},{"text":"In this election, Pinarayi Vijayan is not just the face of the campaign, he is the referendum."}]}}},"relatedArticles":{"edges":[{"node":{"uid":"brs-student-wing-stages-protest-over-mp-suryas-remarks","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"BRS student wing stages protest over MP Surya’s remarks"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aeIG9Z1ZCF7ETSSI_BRSStudentwing.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-17T08:10:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"gautam-adani-becomes-asias-richest-person","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Gautam Adani becomes Asia’s richest"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z02IxpbqstJ978If_adani.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-17T05:51:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"amit-shahs-firm-stance-no-religious-reservations-for-muslims-mo2pi22d","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Amit Shah: No Religious Reservations for Muslims"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F9a998da1-ed74-4d1d-bf5c-3ce42a2986be_amit+shah.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,44,1280,631&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T19:29:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"bengaluru-businessmans-honeytrap-nightmare-blackmailed-after-instagram-encounter-mo2pi7w3","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Businessman’s Honeytrap Nightmare"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/c8335006-73f0-4db2-9b9f-f9d6f0421a05_love+is+blind.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T18:30:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"ysr-congress-leader-released-on-bail","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"YSR Congress leader released on bail"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad%2F7216aea1-016a-4612-8cd4-886237641335_ysrcp.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C5%2C1200%2C592&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T13:39:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"tvk-manifesto-welfare-ai-1.5t-goal","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"TVK Manifesto: Welfare, AI, $1.5T Goal"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aeEUw51ZCF7ETQr3_vijaytvk.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T13:15:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"from-now-onwards-nari-shakti-will-not-be-just-a-slogan","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"From now onwards, Nari Shakti will not be just a slogan"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/adOj4pGXnQHGZSCp_pawan.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T07:30:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"infosys-denies-pune-harassment-claims","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Infosys Denies Pune Harassment Claims"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/7766529c-412f-4d9a-a068-c32a77895fee_infosys.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T06:06:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"case-filed-against-vijay","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Case filed against Vijay"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aPPHEJ5xUNkB2HoK_vijay.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T05:30:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"pichai-ranbir-in-times-100-most-influential-people-of-2026","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Pichai, Ranbir in TIME's '100 Most Influential'"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aeC5qZ1ZCF7ETPhc_pichairanbir.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-16T05:28:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"madras-hc-orders-i-t-probe-on-udhayanidhi-assets","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Court Orders Probe on Udhayanidhi Assets"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/5eb52f79-f1fb-4224-8660-30b6f9452808_udhanidhi+stallin.JPG?auto=format,compress"},"datetime":"2026-04-15T08:13:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"lokesh-elevated-as-national-wp-of-tdp","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Lokesh elevated as national WP of TDP"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/Z4vnQ5bqstJ99mOE_lokesh.JPG?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2028,1000&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-04-15T07:41:00+0000"}}}]}},"pageContext":{"isCreatedByStatefulCreatePages":false,"uid":"pinarayi-vijayan-hero-or-villain","tags":["politics"]}}