THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretariat on Wednesday decided to publicly censure power minister M.M. Mani for his alleged derogatory remarks against Pompilai Orumai activists. A brief statement issued by the state committee said: “The state committee meeting presided over by A. Vijayaraghavan decided to publicly censure state secretariat member comrade M.M. Mani for making public remarks which have has cast a shadow on the prestige of the party." Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had defended Mr Mani within and outside Assembly for the last two consecutive days attributing the alleged derogatory remarks to his rustic style, by deciding to initiate disciplinary action the state committee of the party has in a way discarded his view.
The action taken against Mr Mani cannot be termed as mild. According to party constitution, public censure is the third biggest disciplinary action after warning and censure. This is the second time Mani is facing disciplinary action. In 2012, CPM state secretariat had removed him from the post of Idukki district secretary following his controversial speech in which he had stated that the party had eliminated its foes in the past. Sources said at the state committee meeting, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan expressed his displeasure over the manner in which Mr Mani’s statements had discredited the party. He pointed out that such statements had given an opportunity to the Opposition particularly the UDF and BJP to politicise the issue and attack the LDF government.
Mr Kodiyeri said Mani’s statements had diverted attention from the core issues including LDF government’s plan to evict encroachers from government land and provide pattayams. A special discussion will be held at the state committee on Thursday to discuss the Munnar issue. Meanwhile, the agitating Pompilai Orumai leaders stuck to their demands for Mr Mani’s direct apology and resignation from Cabinet. Ms Gomathy said by publicly censuring Mani, the CPM has admitted that he had done something wrong. “Many leaders including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have been stoutly defending Mani saying that it was his rustic style. Moreover, they have been trying to tarnish our agitation saying that it has no public support. But they have been forced to take the disciplinary action against Mani. We will continue with our agitation,” she added.
