Refrain from public criticism of govt, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan tells CPI

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Saturday cautioned LDF constituents, particularly the CPI, against publicly criticising the government.

At a press conference in Kannur, Mr Kodiyeri said the UDF was trying to exploit the situation by projecting the LDF as a divided house. “By criticising the government publicly, we are giving them enough ammunition to attack the LDF. However, they will not succeed in creating problems for our front,” he said.

Mr Kodiyeri, however, rejected the charges levelled by Mr Kanam Rajendran, CPI state secretary, saying that the decisions taken by the government on issues like Nilambur, Maoist killing, RTI issue linked to cabinet decisions, Jishnu case, UAPA, Ramon Sreevastava appointment and Varghese affidavit were part of LDF policy. The government had not deviated from the Left stand, he said.

He contradicted the CPI stand that the killing of two Maoists in Nilambur was a fake encounter. Even Maoists had not claimed that their comrades were taken into custody and then killed. “Fake encounter is when persons are killed in custody. The killing of Varghese was fake encounter,” he said and pointed out that Maoists belonging to other states had camped in Kerala and were planning a major operation when the police got information about their activities. This led to exchange of fire in which they were killed.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act : Mr Kodiyeri said the CPM has a clear policy on UAPA. “We demand the scrapping of this draconian law. As of now the LDF government has decided to review all UAPA cases barring those registered by the CBI,” he said.

Naxal Varghese: The CPM is of the view that the affidavit which portrays Naxal Varghese as a dacoit submitted in the high court is totally wrong. The government is trying to rectify the affidavit. It was prepared during the UDF tenure as the same advocate had continued even after the change in government. Jishnu case: Mr Kodiyeri said the protest of Mahija was needless as the chief minister had already met her and assured her all help. She could have met him again and raised her concerns before him. Instead of resolving the matter amicably, the decision to hold a protest in front of the police headquarters was wrong.

He said the government could not be held responsible for the bail granted by the court to the main accused in the case.

Munnar: The LDF government policy is to remove all encroachments and evict encroaches. At the same time all those who came to Munnar and other places in Idukki district before 1.1.1977 would be given title deeds at the earliest, he said.

On the attack on Devikulam sub-collector Sreeram Venkataram allegedly by CPM workers, Mr Kodiyeri said the official had not provided prior intimation while going for the demolition drive.

Raman Sreevastava: There was nothing wrong in Raman Sreevastava being appointed as the chief minister’s advisor. “During my tenure as home minister, he was the DGP. There was no controversy at that time. All issues related to him had happened in the past and he has not been convicted in any of the cases,” he said.

He said Mr Pinarayi Viayan or the CPM did not have the mindset of capitalists. Mr Kanam had used the term "capitalist mindset" because of his long experience as a trade union leader, he said.