THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran on Wednesday hit out at the CPM saying that there was no need for the representatives of his party or revenue minister E. Chandrashekharan to attend a meeting for which they have not been invited. He was reacting to questions on the government decision to go ahead with the July 1 meeting convened by chief minister to discuss Munnar issue including shifting of Devikulam Sub Collector Sriram Venkataraman. “I am not aware of any meeting. There is no official invitation to attend the meeting. Why should Chandrashekharan attend a meeting uninvited,” he asked.
Referring to the unilateral decision, the CPI state secretary said: “The government does not mean just the CPM. It includes all; it comprises everyone.” Mr Rajendran said notwithstanding the demands being raised by different quarters against encroachments and stopping action against encroachers, the government could resolve such issues only by complying with Land Conservancy Act. “Let the government convene as many meetings it wants to but the decisions have to be taken only according to Land Conservancy Act. If decisions are taken bypassing law then it would be dealt with in the courts. Not only the CPM but the government should also realise this. The officers cannot be shifted as per the whims and fancies of media and political parties. It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard upright and responsible officers,” he said.
The state government had earlier made it clear that it would go ahead with the meeting convened by revenue secretary P.J. Kurien following demands for the removal of Devikulam sub-collector Venkataraman. The CPI state executive on Tuesday had decided to keep away from the meeting on Munnar. Earlier, Mr Chandrashekharan had also expressed serious reservations about the manner in which the meeting was being convened based on the demand of encroachers.
It may be recalled that the revenue minister on Wednesday had conveyed his opposition to the proposed meeting on evictions in Munnar. The minster had expressed reservations over the manner in which the issue was being discussed on the basis of a petition filed by a section of people including a person facing allegations of encroachment.
Devikulam MLA wants Revenue minister out:
The CPM-CPI spat over Munnar issue worsened on Monday with Devikulam MLA S. Rajendran asking revenue minister E. Chadnrashekharan to quit if he cannot resolve the issues in the hill district. He was reacting to CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran’s statement that officers cannot be removed on the whims and fancies of politicians while referring to Devikulam sub- collector Sriram Venkataraman. The MLA termed Kanam Rajendran's stand lacked morality.
Mr Rajendran said the issues of Munnar should not be seen as CPI-related but as a general problem of the local people. The problems should be resolved in the larger interest of the people. “No one need to teach these issues to the CPM,” he said while referring to the criticism of his party by the CPI state secretary. The legislator said issues concerning Munnar required to be resolved on a priority basis. “It is the CPM that is facing the ire of people for the delay in resolving issues. Despite being in the government, people are suffering and this situation needs to be avoided,” Mr Rajendran added.
The CPM, the Congress and the Kerala Congress-M are on the same page on the demand for shifting the sub-collector. However, the CPI has pointed out that the government cannot remove an officer who is implementing its policies.
