CPM CC 'warns' Achuthanandan, but blinks on nepotistic leaders
- Though the charges against VS were grave enough to terminate him, the CC decided against a drastic decision.
- The party spared Central Committee members EP Jayarajan and PK Sreemathi who allegedly misused power and appointed their close relatives in key posts.
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The CPM Central Committee (CC) meeting has decided to 'warn' Veteran Communist and former Kerala Minister VS for engaging in anti-party activities. But the party spared Central Committee members EP Jayarajan and PK Sreemathi who allegedly misused power and appointed their close relatives in key posts and bringing shame on party and government in Kerala. It was widely expected that the party would live up to its stand against corruption and take exemplary action against these leaders.
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The state committee of the CPM had submitted a volumnous charge sheet against VS Achuthanandan, who walked away from the party congress meeting in 2015 following differences with the faction headed by Pinarayi Vijayan. The CPM had constituted a Politburo commission to look into the allegations. Though the charges raised by the state committee were grave enough to terminate his party membership, the CC decided against taking such a drastic decision. 4
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At present, Achuthanandan is a special invitee in the CC. He had reportedly requested the central leadership to include him in the state secretariat, which was turned down. Though he is not a member of the state committee, Achuthanandan remains an invitee. He will now have the privilege to speak to the state committee. It is learned that the state leadership of the party vehemently opposed the inclusion of the veteran leader in the state secretariat.
VS Achuthanandan, the most popular face among CPM leaders in the state, had been removed from the party Politburo in July 2009 after his rivalry with Pinarayi Vijayan crossed limits, dividing the party like never before. He was the Chief Minister of Kerala when he was expelled from the PB.
Ditching its proclaimed stand on corruption and nepotism, the CPM decided not to take any action against EP Jayarajan and PK Sreemathi MP who appointed their relatives in key posts when they were ministers in various ministries in Kerala. Both leaders are presently the CC members. Jayarajan had to resign from the Pinarayi Vijayan ministry after it was revealed that he appointed two relatives in top posts of public sector units. The reasons for sparing these leaders are not readily known.
