Thiruvananthapuram: While the state unit went on a damage control mode following Pinarayi Vijayan’s controversial remarks against Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, the central leadership has sounded caution against attempts being made to create a divide in the party ahead of crucial Assembly polls.
Sources said though both Pinarayi and Achuthanandan tried to clarify their stand on the issue, the contentious issue has already come in the the public domain. This is what has worried a section of central leaders.
Since the opposition leader Achuthanandan and the official faction of the party had engaged in a running battle for many years, the anti CPM brigade believes that there is enough “masala” to use as ammunition during the elections.
The “secretariat resolution” against Achuthanandan was only a "sample fire works". There are many issues involving the rival factions in the CPM which are likely to be raked up in the run up to the polls.
But the CPM state and central leadership which was wary of Achuthanandan’s response to Pinarayi’s reference to secretariat resolution till yesterday, appear to be relieved for the moment because of the guarded reaction of the veteran leader.
Moreover, Achuthanandan’s categoric statement that he and Pinarayi had the formidable task to bringing down the corrupt Oommen Chandy government and install a pro people government, has gone down well with the party rank and file besides sending a message of unity in the party even if it is for election purpose.
Had Achuthandnan reacted in his customary style to Pinarayi’s remarks, things could have gone out of hand. But many say for the moment the veteran leader’s strategy seems to be to ensure the victory of LDF and contentious issues can wait.
