Arrest during election campaign: CPM says no immediate action against Padmakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has decided not to take immediate party action against A Padmakumar, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board and Pathanamthitta district committee member, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold robbery case. Padmakumar's arrest during the election campaign has created a crisis for the party. However, the CPM state secretariat, which met yesterday, agreed that the investigation should not be denied even if former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran is questioned.

If the special investigation team submits a report to the court, action can be taken after examining it. If action is taken against Padmakumar now, the statement he gives to the investigation team will create a crisis for the party and the government. The government's stance that the guilty will not be protected, whoever they are, will be highlighted in the election campaign.

The CPM initially believed that the gold theft investigation and arrest would not go beyond the officials. With Padmakumar's arrest, there is a concern that Kadakampally may be questioned. The party is aware that a strong defensive shield cannot be built by the usual stance of not protecting the guilty. If Kadakampally is questioned, it will be a direct blow to the CPM.

Padmakumar was the Devaswom Board President when the CPM and the party came forward to implement the verdict on the entry of women into Sabarimala. Thus, whatever Padmakumar says now is important. CPM and the government will be held accountable in front of the believers if Padmakumar tries to deny or blame the government by explaining his side. That is why the CPM has come to the position that there is no need for immediate action.