Top

All eyes on Pinaray Vijayan’s action on collector\'s report

The Chief Minister had promised the CPI, which had toed a soft line, that he will act based on the report.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Collector reportedly not entirely blaming the police for the lathicharge against the CPI MLA Eldoh Abraham and other party workers in Ernakulam, one is not sure what sort of action Chief Minister Pinaray Vijayan will initiate against the cops.

Since the Chief Minister had directed the collector to submit a report on the circumstances leading to the lathicharge, he would take a call based on the findings.

The collector has said that the assault on MLA could have been avoided. However, the CPI decision to shift the march from Njarackal to Ernakulam had also caused confusion.

The Chief Minister had promised the CPI, which had toed a soft line, that he will act based on the report.

The report gives ample room to Pinarayi Vijayan to act against the cops at least against those who hit the MLA.

Notwithstanding the soft stand taken by CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran, a section of senior leaders of the party and the district units of Ernakulam and Alappuzha had taken a strong position against the police action. They kept the pressure not only on the party but also the government to act against the erring cops. Clearly the Chief Minister will have to factor in all these issues before coming to a decision.

The anti-Kanam faction in CPI will definitely claim credit in the event of Chief Minister who also holds the home portfolio, initiating action against the cops.

But the controversy over the police action is unlikely to die down even if action whether mild or strong, is taken against the police. The lathicharge has already triggered serious differences within the party.

The attack on the state secretary is likely to continue since many in the CPI believe that Kanam Rajendran failed to stand by the cadre and defend them in the face of police attack.

This has led to demoralisation in a section of party workers.

Clearly Kanam Rajendran is likely to face a tough time in the party at least for now.

Next Story