No immediate action against A Padmakumar; M V Govindan clarifies stand

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reports say that the CPM is not planning to take immediate action against former Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar, who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold theft case. CPM state secretary M V Govindan reportedly told the Pathanamthitta district committee today that strong action will be taken only after the chargesheet is filed. Padmakumar is currently a member of the district committee.

Govindan is reported to have said that those who were given responsibilities by the party did not act fairly towards the party. “N. Vasu was a government official. But Padmakumar is not like that. Strong disciplinary action will be taken after the chargesheet is submitted,” he said during the meeting, according to reports.

Meanwhile, party workers are demanding strict action against Padmakumar, who is also a former MLA. They question how party members can face the public during election campaigns if Padmakumar continues in the district committee. Workers point out that strong action is the only solution.

At the district secretariat meeting in Pathanamthitta on Saturday, central committee member Dr Thomas Isaac had reportedly said that the party does not intend to protect or defend Padmakumar. Party workers believe that such lenient or unclear positions create strong resentment among the public.