Kerala: 2009 precedent was in his favour but Kodiyeri Balakrishnan still opted

Among the two theories about the change of guard in CPM state leadership, the notion that Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had to leave his office, albeit temporarily, because of the ED case and arrest of his son Bineesh Kodiyeri is the popular one. The official argument that ailing leader needs rest and treatment is portrayed as a ‘safe exit plan’ by opposition leaders, who assert that Balakrishnan had to do so as CPM had no other option to save its face during the upcoming local body poll.