V.M. Radhakrishnan.
Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM is in the dock over an advertisement provided by controversial businessman V.M. Radhakrishnan hailing the party plenum in Palakkad that appeared on the front page of party mouthpiece Deshabhimani on Friday.
Radhakrishnan, chairman of Malabar Cements, is facing charges of abetment of suicide and criminal intimidation in connection with the death of Malabar Cements whistleblower V. Saseendran and his two sons.
It is ironical that the advertisement from the shady businessman came at a time when the plenum in Palakkad was debating the influence of mafia and big business and how the party should guard against falling prey to such forces.
Deshabhimani General Manager and CPM central committee member E.P. Jayarajan justified the advertisement. “There is nothing wrong in accepting advertisements from Radhakrishnan,’’ he told mediapersons in Palakkad.
When his attention was drawn to the plenum call to keep away from mafia and big business, Jayarajan shot back: “What do you know about the plenum? You are trying to cook up stories and mislead the people. Even you people are facing cases.’’
It may be recalled that Jayarajan was ousted from the post of Deshabhimani general manager in 2007 for accepting Rs 2 crore in exchange for bonds to a controversial lottery baron. The party was also forced to return the money.
Meanwhile the party has sought explanation from Deshabhimani for the advertisement goof-up. The party while admitting that the advertisement had brought disgrace, felt Deshabhimani should have been vigilant.
Deshabhimani row a boon for VS
Thiruvananthapuram: The controversial advertisement in the party mouthpiece Deshabhimani seems to have come as a blessing in disguise for veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan who has maintained a low profile since the CBI court exonerated his bête noire Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC-Lavalin case.
Achuthanandan, who returned from Palakkad without attending the valedictory session and public meeting of the plenum because of ‘indisposition,’ said Deshabhimani should have avoided the advertisement from businessman V.M. Radhakrishnan. “He had spent crores to defeat me in Malampuzha,’’ he added.
He, however, refuted Radhakrishnan’s allegations that he had received election fund from the controversial businessman. “I reject his allegation with the contempt it deserves,” he told mediapersons on his arrival at the railway station here. He has asked the party to look into the issue.
Sources said Achuthanandan preferred to skip the public meeting in view of the severe criticism unleashed against him by a section of delegates during the debate on the organisational report on Thursday.
Many believe that the advertisement row has given him enough ammunition to expose the ‘un-communist’ ways of his opponents. Prakash Karat on the opening day of the plenum had called upon the party leaders and workers to shed such tendencies.
