CPM leaders face criticism at Pathanamthitta district meeting

PATHANAMTHITTA: The CPM’s state and district leadership came under criticism at the party’s expanded district committee meeting in Pathanamthitta. Delegates said the decision to field the wife of state secretary M. V. Govindan as a candidate had sent the wrong message to party workers. They also said the way Pinarayi Vijayan spoke as Chief Minister had created resentment among the public and turned neutral voters against the LDF and the government.

One delegate openly said the Chief Minister should use dignified language while holding the office. District secretary Raju Abraham also came in for criticism, with delegates alleging that he was weak in leading the organisation. They pointed out that he had been absent from several mass protests.

The district secretary was also criticised for his remarks defending A. Padmakumar, an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Delegates said his statement that Padmakumar, who had been suspended from the party, was still part of the organisation had created an impression among the public that the party was standing by corruption.

Area committee representatives also criticised the selection of the CPI candidate in the Adoor constituency, saying it was one of the reasons for the party’s defeat there.

A. Vijayaraghavan’s inaugural speech had anticipated the criticism against Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan. He alleged that the Enforcement Directorate was targeting Pinarayi Vijayan for political reasons and said there was no one involved in corruption in the party leadership. Former minister Veena George is also attending the meeting. A. Vijayaraghavan is expected to respond to the criticism against the state leadership, while Raju Abraham will respond to the criticism against the district leadership.