THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM leadership has started a move to clean up the party by uprooting the rampant factionalism and other undesirable activities in the CPM. State Secretary MV Govindan will directly lead this move. The aim is to pave the way for a solution to the issue of factionalism before next year's Lok Sabha elections.

The leadership has introduced a special system to monitor party activities in Ernakulam, Palakkad and Alappuzha districts where there is severe factionalism. The expulsion of four leaders in Kannur in connection with the black money case is also part of the cleansing. Three local committee members and a branch member were expelled following a complaint made by the Kerala Congress leader to the state secretary. Yesterday in Kochi, the district committee convened in the presence of MV Govindan and discussed the issues. The Thrikkakara by-election defeat and the factional proceedings related to the state conference also came up for discussion.

Senior leaders will face action in Alappuzha
The leadership may take action against senior leaders in Alappuzha where factionalism is intense. District leadership meetings will be held on the 19th and 20th in the presence of MV Govindan to report the action against the leaders involved in factionalism. Thirty people, including two district secretariat members, are likely to get demoted.

Severe factionalism was witnessed in Alappuzha South, North, Thakazhi and Haripad area committees of the district during the last party conference season. The delegates turned into groups and clashed. Lists of those to be defeated were prepared and distributed. Promises were made for votes. The TP Ramakrishnan Commission, which inquired into this, had recommended strong action. The commission found thirty people guilty, including PP Chittaranjan MLA, former MLAs CK Sadashivan and TK Devakumar. Alappuzha South and North Area Committees may be dissolved. Those defeated by a conspiracy in the Thakazhi and Haripad area committee meetings will be included in the committee. The report against Alappuzha Municipal Councilor A Shanavas, who was involved in the smuggling of drugs, will also be considered.