Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) leaders T M Thomas Isaac and Saji Cherian on Saturday backed former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to become the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.

Speaking to reporters, senior CPI(M) leader Isaac said the decision to elect Vijayan as the legislature party leader was taken by the party's state committee after discussions.

"It is not a decision imposed from above. It has been taken by the party's state committee. There is no High Command," he said.

There has been criticism over selecting Vijayan to the post, considering his age and defeat in the election fought under his leadership.

Isaac said criticism within the party following the electoral defeat was natural.

"We have decided to examine them in detail. There is nothing surprising in it," he said.

Former minister Saji Cherian said Vijayan is among the state's senior-most leaders.

"He contested and won the election to lead the state. We want the senior-most leader to lead us in the Assembly," Cherian said.

He said the electorate may have voted the LDF out of power, seeking a change, but the front still retained significant support.

"We are not weak. Around 37.5 per cent of people voted for us. People have supported us, and we will come back," he said.

Cherian added that the LDF had returned to power even after similar defeats in the past.

"If there were any lapses in governance or politics during the last 10 years, we will rectify them. Our comrades and we are fully confident," he said.

Vijayan has been elected as the CPI(M) legislature party leader and is expected to become the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.

The CPI(M)-led LDF suffered a major setback in the Assembly election, winning 25 out of 140 seats