Kozhikode: Former CPM local committee member and former Municipal councillor C.O.T Nazeer’s Facebook post following incidents has created tension for the party. Addressing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Nazeer said that a few local partymen had intervened to hold his passport at the police station to settle scores even though the court had ordered the release of the passport. Sources close to Nazeer disclosed that he has been a victim of a powerful section in the party ever since the young leader became popular. “Soon after the FB post, his resort in Kasargod was attacked. The illegal holding of the passport was to ensure the non-participation of Nazeer in a business meet in Sri Lanka on November 15,” alleged the source.
Nazeer has not renewed his party membership since 2015 when he asserted that he would not fill a column in the membership form which asked for his religion. “I am not into politics based on my religion,” C.O.T Nazeer told DC. The politician-cum-entreprenuer in Thalasserry has a huge sway among the youth in the town, which is traditionally a CPM stronghold. According to sources, the tension began when the lobby tried to prevent Nazeer’s rightful elevation to the area committee during the last CPM party conference.
Meanwhile, CPI is keenly watching the scene to take political advantage. Sources said that the CPI district committee had approached Nazeer but he had not responded. Recently, a local CPI leader had deserted the party for the CPM. CPM Thalasserry Area Secretary M.C Pavithran said that Nazeer had made it clear that he was not joining the CPI and the news to that effect was false. “CPM has no role in holding his passport. That is a routine police procedure for political workers who are involved in cases,” he said.
