THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former minister E.P. Jayarajan and Kannur MP P.K. Sreemathy who are facing allegations of nepotism, are likely to face disciplinary action for violating norms laid down by party for people holding public positions. A section of party leaders are in favour of exemplary action against the central committee members. They cite the document adopted by party plenum in Kolakata which had specifically cautioned against reluctance or hesitation in investigating complaints of corruption and misuse of position by people holding powerful positions.
The plenum document had pointed out that party committees at various levels despite being aware of the shortcomings and mistakes of leaders were not making any efforts to correct them. This was often done by taking a liberal attitude towards their mistakes. Such a stand can only encourage others to violate party discipline and resort to uncommunist ways. Many believe that the lapses on the part of Mr Jayarajan and Ms Sreemathy needs to be dealt with strictly as per the party norms.
The leaders violated party discipline in connection with the posting of close relatives in plum positions. This act of nepotism, according to CPM, is one of the forms of corruption. Party sources said that the liberal attitude towards such corrupt activities in the past could be gauged by the fact that the central discipline committee had hardly received any complaints since it came into being. They pointed out that there was a tendency to push such issues under the carpet even if these affected the prestige of the party.
Going by the party constitution which clearly states that members should keep the interests of the people above personal interests, there is a clear violation on the part of both central committee members. The constitution also emphasises that party members who are elected to public bodies, legislature assemblies and parliament should maintain high standard of personal integrity. The state and LDF leaders believe that Jayarajan and Sreemathy had failed on this count as well. They say Jayarajan’s resignation from the ministry was not enough and organisational action was a must for sending out a stern warning that corruption and nepotism would not be tolerated.
