KOCHI: CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran was harshly criticised at the CPI Ernakulam district executive meet at a time when the leaders are up in arms following the lathicharge in Kochi. The meeting demanded that Kanam ridiculed the decision of the party and that the leadership should be ready for a public apology. Some members publicly said that if it is so, then they won’t get anybody for the march. It was earlier reported that Kanam will attend the meeting in Aluva but he later withdrew. He returned without attending the meeting after some members of the district council had indicated that they would report the protest directly.

As soon as the meeting started, party district secretary P Raju presented the issue related to the police action. The activists staged a march to Kochi DIG office, alleging that the Njarakkal circle inspector was not impartial when the DYFI activists blocked the CPI district secretary in Vypeen. They sought the transfer of the circle inspector. They informed Kanam that a march is being staged to the Njarakkal police station. As per the party committee’s decision, the march was later shifted to Ernakulam DIG office. Kanam did not oppose when informed about the march. But at the meeting it was criticized that why Kanam said that he did not know about the march. Kanam snubbed the party’s decision. As a result of this, the Muvattupuzha MLA is not able to get out of the house. The leadership should openly apologize on it. Otherwise, there won’t be anybody for the jathas staged by them.

In the meantime, Kanam visited Eldo Abraham injured in police lathicharge at the Aluva Guest House. Eldo later responded that he had discussed issues with Kanam but had not changed his stand against the police.

However, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan expressed support for Kanam. Kodiyeri held long discussions with Kanam. If CPI leaders are beaten, then it’s just like our own party men getting a beating. We are parties with a brotherly affection. The relationship between the CPI (M) and the CPI cannot be destroyed by the media, he said.

In the meanwhile, a probe by the district collector is progressing. The collector will record the statement of Kochi city assistant commissioner K Lalji and sub inspector Vipindas. Meantime, the police is of the stand that they have not attacked the MLA. Eldo’s statement will also be recorded.