EP Jayarajan's untimely ousting ignites political cauldron in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Business deals and dubious friendships across parties seemed to be too much for CPM to bear. This has finally led to the party showing the door to veteran Marxist and Kannur big-name E P Jayarajan. Jayarajan was removed from the post of convener of the Left Front on Saturday. CPM state secretariat member T P Ramakrishnan MLA will assume charge as the new convener.

However, what stood incongruous was the party’s double standard in protecting MLA Mukesh, who faces serious sexual allegations from more than one actress.

The branch meetings will start on Sunday in preparation for the party congress to be held in Madurai in April. Party supreme Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had faced unprecedented criticism in the party meetings after the Lok Sabha debacle. The current ousting of EP Jayarajan should be read in these lines. It serves as an implicit warning to other members to restrict criticism within the organisational level and to never target top names.

While the last state conference saw VS Achuthanandan fading from the political picture, the state conference in Kollam in February will determine EP's political future. State Secretary MV Govindan has stated that EP will continue a member of the Central Committee.

It will be seen how EP tackles the party decision. After Pinarayi Vijayan, EP remains the powerful force within the party. The unpleasant exit at an odd time leaves behind many questions within the party. It should be seen how the veteran leader remains loyal to the party in the aftermath of the exit. Jayarajan didn’t attend Saturday's state committee meeting.

• Kerala BJP Prabhari Prakash Javadekar visiting his house and EP’s confirmation served as a shock to CPM leaders. Even opposition leaders were surprised by the leader’s admission.
• Shobha Surendran's allegation that EP had negotiated to join BJP also kicked a political storm in Kerala while EP’s countenance in the media gave signs of a tacit acceptance of the allegations.
• Dalal Nandakumar revealed how EP rejected Javadekar's promise to withdraw the Lavlin case if Suresh Gopi wins in Thrissur and helps bring LDF to power in the next assembly elections.
• EP's family's resort business with Union Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar also raised suspicions.