CPM on a collision course with Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM state secretariat on Sunday decided to approach the central leadership with a complaint against party veteran and former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan. The decision was taken in a meeting that witnessed harsh criticism against the statement by Achuthanandan the other day flaying the disciplinary action against party workers in Kasargod.

Sources said secretariat members, cutting across groups, condemned the statement of Achuthanandan and said it would only worsen the group fight within the party ahead of the organisational polls. There was also criticism against his visit to Berlin Kunhananthan Nair's house. On Saturday at Kanhangad, Achuthanandan had claimed that there was nothing wrong in the demonstrations held in different parts of the state when he was denied candidature in the Assembly poll. He even said those demonstrations had been ratified by the party central committee.

Achuthanandan also claimed that disciplinary action against some members wouldn't hold ground as the party has already announced organisational polls.

However, the CPM leadership refuted his arguments and said there was no confusion within the party regarding the action initiated against the members who breached discipline at various parts of the state.

"Party members had been part of some demonstrations held at the time of Assembly elections. The state committee meeting held on May 24 and 25 had decided that the party should take note of those who took part in such demonstrations and take an appropriate decision," said a statement issued by the CPM secretariat here on Sunday.

The statement confirmed the party action against a few members who had been part of such demonstrations held in various parts of the state.

"Action is being taken against a few and there is no confusion within the party regarding the same," said the statement. Noting that the reply given by Achuthanandan at Kanhangad to a question by mediapersons might create some confusion, the CPM secretariat made it clear that the central committee hadn't accepted any demonstrations held against the party.