THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the state government was relieved with the governor signing the Lokayukta Amendment Ordinance, the CPM is facing several challenges, including appeasing the CPI. The CPI reiterated yesterday that it was not convinced of the urgency behind promulgating the ordinance.

If a provision of the bill debated and rejected by the Legislature is again incorporated in the Ordinance by amendment of the Act, a resolution against the ordinance can be moved even if a replacement bill is not introduced at the next sitting.

If the Opposition brings a resolution disapproving the ordinance, the CPI may have to declare its position in the Assembly. The opposition is devising a political strategy to force them to do so. Opposition parties believe it will be difficult for the CPI to back down.

Backing down quickly from its original stance will be suicidal for the CPI and that too at a time when the party conferences are fast approaching. Branch meetings will begin on February 10. According to the CPI leadership, criticising the CPM by pointing out the shortcomings of the government can help gain acceptance within the party.

The CPI's public stance strengthens the opposition's criticism that the Lokayukta amendment was introduced as the CPM is intimidated by cases including the one against the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, CPM believes that the controversy has become irrelevant with the governor signing the ordinance. According to CPM, the Congress is only raising political criticism as the provisions in the Lokayukta Act in Kerala does not exist in any other states, including Congress-ruled states. Many in the CPM leadership are dissatisfied with the CPI taking the stand of the opposition. At the same time, the governor's nod for the ordinance has put the state BJP leadership on the defensive.