Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Friday denied any differences with the CPI on the Munnar evictions.
He told reporters after the two-day state committee meeting that the LDF was united on the Munnar issue. “We are implementing the promises made in our manifesto, including removal of encroachments. On policy matters, the two parties are on the same page,” he added.
The LDF government had the twin objectives of evicting big encroachers and distributing pattayams to families which possessed land prior to 1.1.1977. About one lakh have to be given pattayams after the joint verification by forest and revenue departments.
Mr Kodiyeri said the chief minister will inaugurate the distribution of pattayams to 10,000 families on May 21. He took a dig at former chief minister Oommen Chandy saying, “during his tenure, Chandy promised to gift a gold ring to the then revenue minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan if he succeeded in distributing pattayams in one year. Instead of getting the gold ring, poor Thiruvanchoor even lost the revenue portfolio,” he said.
Mr Kodiyeri alleged that the UDF government had facilitated the return of several big encroachers who were evicted during the Achuthanandan government’s tenure. “The LDF government is now engaged in throwing them out again,” he said.
He cautioned all allies to guard against actions and statements that dented the government’s image or weakened the alliance.
On the demolition of the cross at Pappathichola, he said the CPM and chief minister had only expressed opposition over the manner in which the structure was brought down in full media glare. “Our aim should be to retrieve encroached land on which such structures are located,” he said.
He said the CPI never portrayed his party as of encroachers. “Neither the CPI nor the CPM is the party of encroachers,” he said.
When asked about the CPI demand for discussions with the chief minister, he said there was no hurdle in holding party-to-party discussions or talks with the chief minister over any issue.
