Expelled person in local committee: Mass resignation of 60 members including branch secretaries rock CPM 

ALAPPUZHA: 60 people, including four branch secretaries, have resigned from the CPM in protest against the local committee membership of an expelled person. The incident took place in Thumpoly, Alappuzha Area Committee. Thumpoly North B Branch Secretary Sebastian, Thumpoly Center Branch Secretary Carol Voiteva, Mangalam Branch Secretary Jeevan, and Mangalam South B Branch Secretary Jobin submitted their resignation letters to the Thumpoly Local Committee Secretary. All 56 members resigned.
The branch secretary, who had resigned earlier in protest against the local committee's stance, had joined the CPI. The person who was expelled for anti-party activities in the ward elections and for abusing MLA PP Chittaranjan was brought to the local committee.
Sectarianism intensified during the Thumpoly local meeting held in October. Subsequently, a complaint was filed against him with the state leadership last October. State Secretary MV Govindan asked the district leadership to discuss the issue, but there was no solution.
A section took the stand that it was impossible to move forward without eliminating those who had engaged in anti-party activities. There were also complaints that the party leadership had not conducted membership checks in some branches. It was alleged that those who raised objections were ignored in the membership checks.