Kejriwal on guest list, Rahul Gandhi out; CPM to invite CPI in opposition unity push against ED

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state secretariat has decided to invite the CPI state leadership to a national seminar being organised against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Though the CPI has not supported Pinarayi Vijayan over the ED's actions, the CPM plans to turn the seminar into a platform for opposition unity.

National seminars against the ED will be held in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode under the leadership of the AKG Centre for Research and Studies. Leaders of political parties other than the UDF and BJP will be invited to the seminars. Leaders including Arvind Kejriwal have already been invited.

The CPM is particularly keen to have the CPI participate in the programme. The CPI's reservations, however, have become a concern for the CPM in Kerala. The party fears that the CPI staying away from an event aimed at building a united opposition front against the ED could send a different political message, which the UDF could use to its advantage.

The CPI's protest stems from Pinarayi Vijayan's position on the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition. The CPI's position is that the ED's actions should be resisted only when they are directed against the CPM or the LDF. The CPI has not responded to Pinarayi Vijayan's statement that the ED action is aimed at the LDF. If the CPM formally invites the CPI to the national seminar, the party will have to take a position on the matter.

Rahul Gandhi will not be invited

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will not be invited to the ED seminar, CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan said. Govindan alleged that Rahul speaks in an opportunistic manner. He also said Rahul had come to Kerala and questioned why the ED had not taken action against Pinarayi Vijayan. The decision means that while the CPM plans to bring together opposition parties, the Congress leadership will not be part of the seminar.