CHENNAI: With the civic polls round the corner, the CPM has reconciled with dissident leader N.V. Balakrishnan who was suspended from the party for his allegiance to V.S. Achuthanandan.
Holding out an olive branch, CPM district secretary P. Mohanan received the first copy of his Matham, Laingikatha, Mooladhanam, Paristhithi from Mr Achuthanandan at a function held here on Sunday for a formal rleealse of the book. A former Koyilandy area secretary, Mr Balakrishnan has now been reinducted as a branch member.
The book was scheduled to be released on February 7 last year by Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the present state secretary, and the posters for the same were printed.
But the programme was cancelled following local party opposition. According to sources, the district committee was ready to reconcile with Mr Balakrishnan as a part of the state committee decision to accommodate disgruntled comrades who enjoy mass support.
But the district committee failed to tame the anti-Balakrishnan leaders at the local level.
The first edition of the book reached the market without a formal release and this time the district committee effectively reined in the bickering voices against the backdrop of the impending elections.
Though Mr Balakrishnan was suspended citing an anti-party article appeared in a magazine, the real reason was his proximity to to nonagenarian leader Leader of the Opposition.
“Cancellation of the earlier function has nothing to do with the party. Balakrishnan is a party member and Sunday’s function was held with the total support of the party,” said Mr Mohanan. At the same time, notices were circulated alleging corruption against Balakrishnan.
CPI leader Binoy Vishwam and BJP leader M.T. Ramesh attended the function.
