P Hareendran in Kannur and PK Sasi in Palakkad: CPM in trouble due to comments and rebellious activities 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: P. Hareendran in Kannur and PK Sasi in Palakkad have become a headache for the CPM, which is on the defensive after the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board president Padmakumar in the Sabarimala gold robbery case. The controversy in Kannur was caused by the remarks made by CPM district secretariat member P Hareendran in connection with the Palathai rape case verdict. The setback in Palakkad is the rebellious activities of a section of leaders who support PK Sasi. All these issues will be discussed in the leadership meeting to be held in Pathanamthitta today.

A section of leaders is demanding strict action against Padmakumar, who was a member of the Pathanamthitta district secretariat. The party was hit by the remark of Kannur CPM secretariat member P Hareendran in connection with the Palathai rape case in which former BJP leader and teacher K Padmarajan was convicted. 'The one who raped was a Hindu, the one who was raped was a Muslim. That is the only thought of the SDPI and the Muslim League. This is communalism,' he said, adding that there was no controversy in the cases in which the Ustads were accused. With this, Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders came out in support of him. This sparked a political controversy. The UDF raised the allegation that this was part of the CPM-BJP deal in Kannur. The CPM instruction is to remain silent.

A faction supporting former MLA PK Sasi, who was demoted from the district committee to the branch following financial allegations, has declared an open fight in Mannarkad. The rebels are contesting in ten seats in the Mannarkkad municipality. Candidates from a former branch secretary to a local committee member are in the fray.

Sashi's Facebook post with a picture of himself standing near Marx's tomb in London was a topic of discussion in the party. PK Sashi's remark was that those who only know the chemistry of spirit and toddy do not know the chemistry of the communist spirit.

Sasi's Facebook post followed the Congress's allegations that the local committee secretary, who was arrested in the case of seizing a stockpile of spirit in Meenakshipuram, Palakkad, had connections with the district leadership.