'Global Ayyappa Summit was huge mistake'; CPM Pathanamthitta meeting sees sharp criticism against party leadership

PATHANAMTHITTA: Sharp criticism was raised against the CPM state leadership during the party’s Pathanamthitta district committee meeting. The main criticism was that the Global Ayyappa Summit organised by the party had become a major reason for its poor performance in the Assembly elections. Members said the event contributed to many of the challenges faced by the party during the polls.

Several members reportedly argued that the Ayyappa Summit was an event that a Left government should never have organised. They said the programme went against the party’s basic ideological stand and negatively affected situations that could otherwise have worked in favour of the party during the elections.

Criticism was also raised over the lack of action against A Padmakumar, the CPM district committee member and former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Members questioned what action the party had taken against him. They reportedly said that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the party’s silence on the issue had created strong dissatisfaction among party workers. Some members even asked whether Padmakumar himself was aware of any disciplinary action taken against him.

A few members also criticised the decision to appoint Pinarayi Vijayan as the Opposition leader. They said the party currently lacks leaders who can influence people and win public confidence. Some members alleged that certain leaders within the party were not allowing such leaders to grow.