Received red card for insulting speech; Divya sitting on side bench of public life

KANNUR: What is former Kannur panchayat president PP Divya, who was demoted by the CPM following her controversial speech against ADM Naveen Babu, doing now? She is sitting on the side bench of public life. Divya, who was very active on social media, last posted on Facebook 14 days ago, congratulating Ratnakumari, who succeeded her as district panchayat president. She has become reclusive, only taking phone calls from close family and friends. She goes out of her house in Irinavu only to sign at the Kannur Town Police Station on Mondays as per the terms of her bail conditions.

Since Divya resigned from the position of president, two district panchayat meetings have been held. She did not attend these meetings even as a member. According to the rules, a member can only abstain from three meetings without valid reasons. After being demoted from the district committee, Divya’s party membership is now with the Irinavu Dam branch. However, her absence from party activities at the sub-unit level has also been notable. This should have been a busy period for her as it is party conference season.

"Anything can happen within a minute. All I have to say is that we all should work by thinking about that minute..." This was one of the lines from Divya's speech at the farewell ceremony of Naveen Babu. The insulting speech not only took Naveen Babu's life but also temporarily halted Divya's political graph.

Although the party initially defended Divya, it later distanced itself from her once the police charged her with abetment to suicide. However, some influential members of the party still support her. This is the reason behind the delay in the investigation against her. After PK Sreemathi and KK Shailaja, Divya was the woman leader CPM had promoted from Kannur. Her downfall is now becoming a lesson for others.