THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday refuted reports that his party had demanded the removal of Devikulam sub-collector Sriram Venkataraman. The CPM state secretary said that the officer was continuing in the position indicated that the party had not raised such a demand. Mr Balakrishnan’s reaction came in the wake of sharp criticism unleashed by the CPI against CPM Idukki district leaders for demanding the shifting of Mr Venkataraman who had taken a tough stand against encroachers.
The CPM state secretary said if the CPI had reservations about the meeting convened on Munnar issue, the matter could be discussed in the LDF. The CPM, Congress and Kerala Congress M are on the same page on the demand for shifting of the sub-collector. A delegation of political parties from Idukki district had demanded the shifting of Mr Venkataramn accusing him of harassing people in the name of encroachments.
