THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The demand for the resignation of Mukesh, an MLA accused of molesting an actress, has ignited a fierce debate within the Left political, cultural and film spheres. The issue is creating significant confusion and a potential political crisis within the Left parties and affiliated organizations.

While the CPM Kollam district committee has sharply criticized Mukesh, the party's state leadership has so far refused to back his resignation. The state leadership argues that the allegations are part of a conspiracy, with Mukesh claiming to have evidence to clear his name in court.

The party is currently accepting Mukesh's explanation at face value and relaying it to the Chief Minister. Moreover, with Congress MLAs Eldos Kunnappilly and M. Vincent, who face similar allegations, still holding their positions, the question arises: why should a Left MLA be forced to resign? This question has led to a split among CPM's top leaders.

Some, like Politburo member Brinda Karat, argue that Mukesh's resignation is necessary to uphold the Left's commitment to women's rights. However, other senior leaders, including Central Committee members KK Shailaja, PK Sreemathi, and Left Front convenor EP Jayarajan, insist that Mukesh should not step down merely because of the allegations. PB member MA Baby has also criticized the media, pointing out that they showed less interest when similar accusations were made against Congress MPs.

Culture Minister Saji Cherian’s comments on the matter have been criticized, including within the CPM state secretariat, for being immature and giving the impression that the party is siding with the accused. Amid reports that the CPM has agreed to exclude Mukesh from the film policy formulation committee formed by the government, Minister Cherian has denied these claims.

After the Ernakulam Maradu police filed a case against Mukesh under a non-bailable section based on the actress’s complaint, CPI national executive members Annie Raja and K. Prakash Babu demanded his resignation. The CPI's state executive, which met online on Thursday, also saw internal differences on this issue. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam argued that it was inappropriate for another constituent party in the Left Front to demand the resignation of a CPM MLA. He was tasked with presenting the resignation demand to the Chief Minister and CPM State Secretary MV Govindan. However, Binoy Viswam later indirectly dismissed Annie Raja's demand, reminding that while she is a national leader of the party and the Mahila Sangh, it is the state secretary's prerogative to comment on state affairs.

The controversy has also spilled over into the film industry. After the rift within AMMA, the Malayalam film actors' association, tensions have erupted within FEFKA, the union of Malayalam film technicians. Director Aashiq Abu, a CPM ally and former SFI member and B. Unnikrishnan, another left-leaning figure, have accused each other of being "fake Leftists," with financial allegations, including commission and fraud, further fuelling the discord.