'No take-back for class betrayers': Jayarajan turns heat on rebels after Govindan's public rebuke

KANNUR/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A public disagreement has emerged within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over the potential return of former party leaders who rebelled and left the organisation in Kannur. CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan has explicitly rejected a softer stance adopted by State Secretariat member M.V. Jayarajan, who had earlier suggested that the rebels could be reinducted if they corrected their mistakes.

The political friction began after Jayarajan, during an interview with a local channel, advocated for a lenient approach toward former leaders T.K. Govindan and V. Kunhikrishnan. Jayarajan noted that the party had historically welcomed back veteran leaders like M.V. Raghavan and K.R. Gowri Amma in their later years, adding that the CPI(M) does not maintain a style of isolating former comrades over policy errors. He also admitted to flaws in candidate selection in Payyannur and Taliparamba, claiming the party would have won in Payyannur had the candidate been changed, and defended T.K. Govindan's recent visit to the house of the late leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan as basic hospitality.

However, speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan strongly dismissed Jayarajan’s statements, clarifying that he did not speak on behalf of the party. Govindan stated that while the party welcomes back those who rectify their errors, the actions of these particular dissidents amounted to class betrayal. He stated that those who betrayed the party, left its folds, and contested as rebels will continue to be viewed strictly as class betrayers and will face ongoing criticism.

Responding to the development, rebel leader V. Kunhikrishnan challenged the assertions, demanding that Jayarajan first clarify exactly what mistake he had committed.
Following the public correction by the state secretary, Jayarajan pivoted his stance before the media, turning his focus toward the rebels and challenging them to clarify their positions on the policies of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) government. Jayarajan questioned whether the three rebel MLAs were prepared to challenge what he termed the UDF administration's pro-BJP stance.

Jayarajan raised multiple governance issues to corner the dissidents, questioning their silence on the UDF government's implementation of the 'PM SHRI' school scheme, which the front had previously vowed to reject. He also demanded to know their stance on placing the Prime Minister's logo on houses built for the underprivileged, an issue that has drawn criticism from the Local Self Government minister.

Furthermore, Jayarajan highlighted the appointment of an alleged BJP sympathiser as the State Election Commissioner—a move criticised even by a KPCC General Secretary—along with the appointment of officials with alleged pro-BJP leanings to key positions in the Chief Minister's office. Jayarajan urged the rebel MLAs to declare their stance on these matters and utilise the opportunity to correct their political course.