Monthly payment case: CPM enraged at CPI's stance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM is enraged that CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam has rejected the position that the monthly payment case against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena is a political conspiracy. The CPM's argument weakened when the CPI secretary explained that it is not an LDF case but a problem between two companies.

CPI raised its contrary opinion on the same day that CPM state secretary MV Govindan told the media that the case would be fought legally and politically. Minister V Sivankutty also came out publicly against Binoy Vishwam. Sivankutty's response was that Binoy Vishwam should not have worried about Veena Vijayan's case and that the LDF has given full support to Pinarayi. Sivankutty responded that Binoy Vishwam should have expressed his opinion at the Left Front meeting. CPM assesses that the CPI has taken a stance that is helpful to the opposition while the government and the CPM are on the defensive. Sivankutty's statement that there is nothing wrong with spending central money on development and that Binoy should not take on the things that the opposition leader has to say was an indication of the difference of opinion. With this, Binoy Vishwam clarified that Sivankutty and he had the same opinion. Binoy Vishwam also reiterated the stance that the LDF will fight unitedly if the case is tried to be shifted against the Chief Minister.

Binoy Vishwam's response to the monthly payment case was in accordance with the decision of the CPI state council. CPM is of the view that there is no need to respond beyond what Minister V Sivankutty said.