Thiruvanathapuram: Two political parties which took birth because of the serious differences within the CPM, are now on the verge of a split, perhaps even decimation.
The Communist Marxist Party (CMP) which was launched by the former firebrand leader from Kannur, M.V.Raghavan, is facing a split with the groups led by C.P.John and A.R.Aravindakshan pulling the organization in different directions. The story of Janadhipathya Samarakshna Samithi (JSS) headed by K.R.Gouriamma is no different with serious differences in the party over the issue of a merger with the CPM.
Interestingly, the crisis in the two parties has grown with the age of their supremos. M.V.Raghavan,80, is bed ridden and K.R.Gouriamma at 94 has a host of health problems which often reflects in her incoherent statements.
The latest being her claim that the CPM had offered her the chief ministerial post ahead of the 2006 Assembly though she later retracted it and put the blame on the media. But it is no secret that the CPM has been wooing her to return to the party fold.
Many say the debate regarding Gouriamma’s return to the CPM triggers during elections and with the Lok Sabha just months away it is quite natural to have the issue back on centrestage.
During the 2011 Assembly polls, LDF leaders had raised the pitch for Gouriama’s return with leaders eulogizing her as an inseparable part of the communist folklore and someone who had a special place in the communist movement. Even national leaders joined the bandwagon with CPI general secretary J.Sudhakar Reddy describing her “a respected leader” whose return would be an asset to the party.
Gouriamma became a minister in 1957 when a communist Government came to power through the ballot for the first time in the world. Three decades later she was very close to becoming the first woman chief minister of Kerala. But owing to serious differences with the leadership, she parted ways with the parent party.
Unlike Gouriamma, for the Marxists, M.V.Raghavan has remained an ‘untouchable’ after his expulsion from the party in 1988 for advocating a tie-up with the Muslim League. The firebrand CMP leader has had a hate-hate relationship with the CPM. While Gouriamma faced only vituperative attacks, the Marxist cadre literally bayed for MVR ’s blood. The former hitman of the CPM survived a couple of attempts on his life.
While age had toned down MVR’s virulent tongue, the CPM too had mellowed down its attack on him. CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan called on MVR at his residence in April 2013, after a gap of 27 years. The meeting which lasted 15 minutes was termed a ‘courtesy call’ by both.
With MVR’s condition deteriorating, Opposition Leader V.S.Achuthanadnan also called on him at the hospital in October 2013. But the CPM has never extended an invitation to MVR to return to the parent party.
Political observers believe that the CPM’s magnanimity towards Gouriamma may be genuine but it is also with a definite motive. The party wants to accord an honorable place for her and in the process send positive signals to the dominant Ezhava community to which the communist leader belongs.
Usually those expelled from the CPM become politically irrelevant. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee being the latest example. But Gouriamma and Raghavan not only survived the political isolation but overcame it to become prominent ministers in the UDF ministry thanks to the state’s bipolar politics. One must also give credit to the never say die spirit that kept them going.
Now with MVR out of action and Gouriamma too not quite active and with their parties also on the verge of a split, many believe the time has come to write the epitaphs of the JSS and the CMP.
Next: CPM adopts wait and watch policy
CPM adopts wait and watch policy
Thiruvanathapuram: With reports emanating of a section of Gouriamma-led Janadhipathya Samrakshna Samithi (JSS) and M V Raghavan-led Communist Marxist Party (CMP) planning to join hands with the Marxists, the CPM says it will adopt a wait-and-watch policy.
CPM politburo member M. A. Baby said the differences within JSS and CMP were not just personality-oriented. “The UDF is getting isolated because of mis-governance and corruption. The rank and file of these parties are Left-oriented and they are finding it difficult to back such policies,” he said.
When asked whether JSS and CMP would be taken in LDF, Baby said; “ I cannot say now as to what decision the CPM and the LDF will take. The workers of these parties are suspicious about the UDF.”
On Gouriamma’s return, the CPM leader said; “Gouriamma is one of the most respected leaders of the state. She fought the royalty, Diwan’s oppression and participated in Punnapra Vayalar movement. She has inspired a whole generation of people including me,’’ he added.
Former MLA K K Shaju said Gouriamma had no option but to return to CPM. “Only a few people will accompany her. Majority of the members want to continue in UDF,’’ he said.
The former JSS leader said that A.K. Antony’s positive stand on the issue of social justice attracted the party towards UDF. A section of CMP has accused K R Arvindakshan of planning to push the party into LDF camp.
The Marxists have not taken any stand on the issue yet. But split or no split, the JSS and CMP have no other option but to side with either the UDF or the LDF to stay afloat in state’s bipolar politics.
