Not interested in paraphernalia, VS Achuthanandan tells Sitaram Yechury

Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran leader V. S. Achuthanandan has informed CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury that he was not keen on decorative posts but would like to work in the party organisation. The party general secretary held a meeting with the veteran leader ahead of the central committee meeting in Dehi.

He requested the veteran leader to take up the post being planned by the state committee and the government. Earlier, there were reports regarding the government planning to give him a Cabinet rank post like chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission.

However, Achuthanandan is learnt to have insisted on position in the party organisation. He wants to be inducted into the state secretariat and state committee. At the moment the veteran leader is a special invitee to the central committee.

Achuthanandan also expressed unhappiness over the manner in which he was being portrayed as someone going after posts and positions. Yechury will convey the veteran leader’s views to the politburo. Earlier, on the issue of granting Cabinet rank post to V. S. Achuthanandan, chief minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan said there was no proposal before the government.

“Age is not a bar for public service. What is important is the frame of mind and readiness. Such people will always be respected,” he added. Meanwhile, a section of Bengal comrades criticised the former general secretary Prakash Karat at the meeting.

They pointed out that at the press conference held during party plenum in Kolkata, Karat had not spoken against tie-up with the Congress. A CD containing Karat’s speech was also placed at the central committee for its perusal. All these matters would be discussed and finalised at the central committee meeting which will come out with a decision on Monday.