THIRUVANANTHPURAM: CPI assistant secretary Prakash Babu on Saturday criticized party national executive member K. E. Ismail's public statement against the party stand, asking him to exercise vigil. He said being part of the national executive, Mr Ismail should have been more careful. CPI central secretariat member Pannyan Raveendran tried to fire-fight saying attempts to create differences in party's top leadership will not succeed. Prakash Babu said the CPI ministers stayed out of the Cabinet meeting following the party decision. The state executive had demanded the resignation of Thomas Chandy in the wake of allegations against him pertaining to lake reclamation and encroachment. State secretary Kanam Rajendran was entrusted by the state to execute the decision.
He said Mr Ismail had not taken part in the meeting, hence he was not aware of the boycott decision. "All decisions need not be conveyed to the national executive. The state leadership has the capacity to take decision on such issues. Mr Ismail being a senior leader should have been guarded," he said. Mr Ismail had on Friday said that many were not aware of the party decision to boycott Cabinet and the issue would be discussed within the organisation.
The issue is likely to be debated at the state executive which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. Referring to Mr Ismail's criticism of party decision, Prakash Babu said, ”I think it was slip of the tongue ." Meanwhile, central secretariat member Pannyan Raveendran defended the decision to boycott Cabinet meet. "I spoke with Mr Ismail on the issue. A portion of his statement was taken out to create the current controversy. There are no differences in the party," he added.
The senior leader said the party was united and the decision was taken after proper discussion. "It was 100 per cent correct. The decision was in the interest of the people and we stand by it strongly," he added. Mr Pannyan has not outrightly rejected Mr Ismail's views and left scope for further discussions in the party fora. All decisions related to state affairs are to be taken by the executive here.
