Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM suspects that there is more than meets the eye in the recent stringent attack unleashed by a section of CPI leaders against the party and the LDF government’s decisions during its 11-month rule. At the CPM state committee meeting which ended on Thursday, state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that there was a calculated attempt by a section of CPI leaders to create anti-CPM sentiments in the state. It was being done deliberately by publicly criticising various decisions of the government and also trying to portray the CPM as a party which is not serious about removing the encroachments in Idukki district.
The CPM suspects it could be part of the move of some CPI leaders to come closer to the Congress in tune with their central leadership stand for broader unity against the alleged fascist agenda of the BJP. After their national meet, CPI general secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy had called for unity among the left, secular and democratic parties to defeat the BJP brand of Hindutva politics. He had clarified that the unity should not be viewed as electoral understanding. However, the CPM central leadership had rejected any broader understanding with the Congress.
Many say Mr Kodiyeri’s criticism needs to be seen in this context. The state committee meet also witnessed sharp attack on the CPI in connection with the anti- encroachment drive in Munnar. The CPM state committee members felt that there was a deliberate attempt to target the CM. Many leaders, including Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, felt that the CPI was adopting double standards on the issue. It was pointed out that during the last LDF meeting when the issue of Tata’s encroachment came up, the CPI leaders had developed cold feet. There is ambiguity in the CPI’s stand on Tata land.
