KOLLAM: CPM state secretary MV Govindan was severely criticized at the party conference on Saturday. The criticism came during the public discussion held in connection with the conference. The discussion closely examined all the controversies that have arisen against the Chief Minister and his family since the work of the second Pinarayi government.

The members pointed out the ambiguous stand of the party secretary while addressing such cases, and his habit of changing opinions at a whim and causing confusion even among the ranks. The representatives warned M V Govindan to be aware and careful with his opinions. The delegates even blamed the Kannur bias within the party when it came to selecting party secretary positions.

The Chief Minister's total control in the party was palpable throughout the public discussion. When asked about the reasons for the heavy defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, M V Govindan said that many errors required immediate course correction.