Unusual ban for P K Sreemathy in party secretariat, no charges given

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM in Kerala has imposed an unusual ban for party central committee member, senior party leader and former minister P K Sreemathy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had made it clear at the state secretariat meeting that she would not be able to attend leadership meetings in Kerala as a member of the central committee. The chief minister informed this when the secretariat meeting began last week. The chief minister's stance was that she would not be able to attend leadership meetings in Kerala as a member of the central committee.

P K Sreemathy was granted an age relaxation along with the chief minister at the recent Madurai party congress. Central committee member from Kashmir, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, had also received such a relaxation. When the secretariat meeting began, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told Sreemathy that no special relaxation had been given to her here. However, when she spoke to party general secretary M A Baby and state secretary M V Govindan, Sreemathy said that no such ban had been informed. When the chief minister said that the age relaxation in the party congress would apply only to the central committee, no one else spoke. Relaxation was given to Sreemathy in the central committee. The chief minister took the stand that she need not have to participate in the state secretariat with that relaxation.

Following this, P K Sreemathy did not attend the secretariat meeting held on Friday but attended the state committee meeting held on Saturday. Central committee members in Kerala are given separate posts in the state. However, there are reports that it has been decided not to give any such responsibilities to Sreemathy.

Leaders excluded from the central committee due to age limit have been made invitees in the state committee. A K Balan and others will be attending this meeting. With that consideration, Sreemathy was also given an opportunity in the state committee meeting.