Smart camera reads secret note VS passed to Yechury, puts him in bad light

 

Just hours after the news broke that veteran Communist VS Achuthanandan is likely to be given the status of an advisor to the Pinarayi Vijayan ministry with cabinet rank, the leader found himself in an uncomfortable situation over a piece of paper he handed over to Sitaram Yechury.

 

Manorama Online published a photograph of Achuthanandan reading a note purportedly demanding advisor status with cabinet rank for him. Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) general secretary Sitaram Yechury is also seen peeping into the note. 

 

"Advisor to the government with cabinet rank and chairmanship of the LDF," the note read. It also suggested inclusion of Achuthanandan to the Party state secretariat. After reading the note handed over to him by a member of his personal staff, Achuthanandan passed it to Yechuri. 

 

The photograph sparked a controversy in Kerala after it is widely read as the veteran leader's bargain with the central leadership of the CPM. 

 

Despite spearheading the campaign for the CPM, Achuthanandan was sidelined by the party and chose Pinarayi Vijayan as Chief Minister. There were reports that Achuthanandan was sulking after the denial. There were also reports that the party may offer him an honorary post to appease him.

 

 But at a press conference recently, the CPM leader rubbished reports that he put forth some demands before the party central leadership that included an advisory post with Cabinet ranking. "You all know I am not a person after positions," he had said. 

 

Speaking to Asianet News, Yechury clarified that the note was handed to him by Achuthanandan himself during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. The note was given to Achuthanandan by his personal staff. The CPM general secretary also confirmed that the note had demands including advisor post with cabinet rank. 

 

Yechury also informed that the next Politburo meeting will discuss a suitable post for Achuthanandan. 

 

Latest reports suggest that Achuthanandan's son Arunkumar prepared the note and passed it through a personal staff.