'Did you still expect a different verdict?' P Jayarajan's son expresses dissatisfaction over decision not to include his father in CPM Secretariat

KANNUR: Jayin Raj, the son of CPM leader P. Jayarajan, has publicly voiced his displeasure over the party's decision to exclude his father from the CPM State Secretariat. Jayin expressed his frustration by sharing a WhatsApp status featuring the words, "Did you still expect a different verdict in present-day India, O innocent ones?" which were posted by CPM leader M. Swaraj on Facebook in connection with the Ayodhya verdict.

Jayin, along with several party workers, had anticipated that P. Jayarajan would be included in the State Secretariat at this year’s CPM state conference. However, when this expectation was not met, it prompted his son to make his dissatisfaction public. In addition to Jayin, numerous party workers from Kannur have also rallied behind P. Jayarajan.

P. Jayarajan is considered one of the most influential leaders from Kannur, and his exclusion from the State Secretariat has led to frustration among grassroots workers. A similar protest had erupted previously when Jayarajan was not considered for the position.

Meanwhile, it is hinted that a letter from the Kannur district committee to the state leadership contributed to P. Jayarajan’s exclusion from the Secretariat. The letter, based on allegations from former district committee member Manu Thomas, accused Jayarajan of having links with gold smuggling gangs. This letter and the allegations were discussed during the Kannur District conference, and it became apparent around this time that P. Jayarajan would not be included in the State Secretariat.

Additionally, this year’s activity report contained criticisms stating that increasing followers on social media is not the job of leaders. When the final list of State Secretariat members was released, it was clear that P. Jayarajan had been overlooked. After MV Jayarajan, the Kannur District Secretary, was included in the Secretariat, the possibility of P. Jayarajan’s inclusion was effectively ruled out.

Leaders such as Pinarayi Vijayan, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, E.P. Jayarajan, MV Govindan, and MV Jayarajan all served as Kannur District Secretaries before being appointed to the State Secretariat. It was during P. Jayarajan’s tenure as District Secretary, the party selected him as the candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Vadakara. At that time, MV Jayarajan, who had been the Chief Minister’s private secretary, took over as District Secretary.