Thrissur Pooram disruption controversy: Rift deepens in LDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the CPM firm in its stand that pooram was not disrupted, the divisions in the Left Front are intensifying. CPI was angered by the criticism in the press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office the other day that the opposition was trying to establish that pooram was disrupted because they were playing as the B team of the Sangh Parivar.

The press release came after CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reiterated revenue minister K Rajan's claim that pooram was disrupted. The CPI is rejecting the chief minister's claim that it was only the fireworks was disrupted and not the pooram.

The general feeling in the CPI is that their stand can't be watered down to overcome the opposition's allegations in the election campaign. Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms had also come out against the stand that pooram was not disrupted.

Meanwhile, Suresh Gopi rejected BJP State President Surendran's claim that Suresh Gopi, who was the candidate in the Thrissur constituency at that time, arrived in an ambulance when pooram was disrupted. This has also started disputes.