Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretariat has come to an understanding to avoid public spat with CPI over Thomas Chandy's resignation. The CPM state secretariat meeting which took place in Kochi on Friday, witnessed sharp criticism from members against the CPI stand on the whole issue. The party would express its displeasure over CPI stand on Chandy issue at the next LDF state committee meeting. The secretariat endorsed the steps taken by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with Chandy's resignation. The CPM leadership is of the opinion that allowing the controversy to continue further would only dent the image of the ruling front besides creating more fissures in the coalition.
The CPM secretariat decision on ceasefire came on a day when differences also surfaced in CPI over Chandy resignation. Contrary to CPI stand on the former minister's issue, senior leader K.E. Ismail said there was no delay in Chandy's resignation and the time taken was only natural.He said the decision of four ministers to stay out of Cabinet meeting will be discussed in the party. Though he was informed about the decision, many in the party may not be aware of the situation leading to the stay out.
On the allegations that the construction of Zero Jetty road which led to Chandy's resignation, happened with the MP fund of Ismail, the former minister said, “the local leadership had submitted an application containing the road construction proposal which was examined by the state leadership.” Ismail said he has never been to Chandy's Lake Place Resort in Alappuzha nor sought their hospitality. The former revenue minister's controversial statement that Chandy will come back to the ministry after being cleared by Supreme Court is likely to trigger a debate in CPI.
Yet editorial war enters day 3
The public spat between the CPM and CPI over Thomas Chandy's resigna0tion continued for the third day with the Deshabhimani editorial slamming Kanam Rajendran's stand on the ministers staying away from the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The CPM mouthpiece said the editorial signed by Kanam who is also the chief editor of Janayugam which appeared on Thursday, was also an unprecedented action like the boycott of the Cabinet by ministers.
"The CPI is trying to justify the boycott by describing the circumstances leading to the boycott as unprecedented. The LDF comprises the CPM, CPI, JD(S), Congress (S) an NCP. Besides MLAs belonging to the RSP Leninist and Kerala Congress are supporting the front. Before forming an opinion, the views of these parties are taken. In the wake of differences with a particular party, bilateral talks are held to resolve the matter. If a party says that all constituents should accept its stand then it is not practical," it said.
CM bypassed: The action of the revenue minister of directly getting the allegations that came up against another minster, examined by the collector was unprecedented. Since the allegations were against a minister, the Chief Minister should have been apprised about it. But it didn't happen here, the editorial said.
