THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A war of words has erupted in the CPI over the state council decision on Saturday to demote three of its leaders for their role in the candidate selection for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat.
In a scathing attack on CPI state secretary Pannyan Raveendran, ousted district secretary Venjaramoodu Sasi compared him to a doll. He alleged that it was Mr Pannyan who had shown interest in having Mr Bennet Abraham as the CPI candidate. Mr Pannyan had ensured that Mr Bennet’s name was included in the minutes of the meeting which discussed the list of candidates, he said.
“Bennet’s name was approved after several leaders expressed displeasure in having him as the candidate. Obviously, the CPI state secretariat is wholly responsible for making him the candidate,” said Mr Sasi.
In his response, Mr Pannyan said that whatever he had to say on the disciplinary action had already been said on Saturday. Mr Ramachandran Nair, CPI state executive member and chairman and managing director of CPI’s mouthpiece Janayugam, alleged that AITUC secretary Kanam Rajendran and state assistant secretary Prakash Babu were hand in glove to oust him from the party. When Mr Ramachandran Nair was demoted, he had warned of quitting the party. It was alleged earlier that he was aware of the disciplinary action and had sought leave of absence from Janayugam in advance.
“I have decided to stay in the LDF, but haven’t decided about which party I will join. But I have decided to approach the party control commission against the party’s action. My decision to quit the party will be conveyed in due course,” he said.
He termed the disciplinary action against him, Mr Sasi and national executive member C. Divakaran as gross injustice.
Meanwhile, CPI national secretary Sudhakar Reddy said in New Delhi that the national executive would take a final decision on the demotion of Mr Divakaran.
“The national leadership will examine whether the state CPI can initiate action against Divakaran as he is a member of the national executive. Action against senior leaders has to be taken by the national executive,” he said.
