PALA: A lot of posters appeared against Jose K Mani in Pala. The posters appeared in the name of Save CPM Forum called him kulamkuthi (traitor) and said that he should remember this when he reaches the polling both. The posters appeared after some unruly scenes were witnessed between the CPM and Kerala Congress (M) councillors in Pala municipality yesterday.

The victory in Pala where a strong contest is witnessed is a matter of pride for Jose K Mani. They fear that the present problems will affect their electoral victory. The victory in Pala is also a matter of pride for the CPM. So, the CPM has intensified its efforts to settle everything smoothly.

A meeting of councillors and senior leaders was convened by both parties shortly after the clash. Strict instructions were given not to go for any provocation. The posters appeared in the midst of this. This is a cause of concern for the CPM centres.

The incident happened yesterday morning when Binu Pulikkakandam, the lone CPI (M) councillor in the municipality, entered into a fight with Baiju Kollamparambil of the KC M) during a meeting of the standing committee on health. Eyewitness accounts suggested that the clash broke out when Pulikkakandam raised the allegation of procedural violation in convening the standing committee. The KC (M) councillor picked up an argument with the CPI (M) councillor after the latter objected to the convening of the meeting without informing him. The argument, which broke out in the presence of municipal chairman Anto Jose Padinjarekkara, eventually gave way to a physical assault. But a swift intervention by other councillors avoided a further flare up. Following the incident, both the persons sought medical treatment, said a person who witnessed the incident.