KANNUR: Former minister and CPM leader K.K. Shailaja stated that P.K. Sreemathy Teacher is not facing any ban within the party. She also clarified that no one is retiring from party activities and that P.K. Sreemathy remains an active leader.

"Sreemathy Teacher herself has made it clear that she is not facing any ban within the party. The age limit was set to accommodate new people. There is no obstacle to her participating in the State Secretariat whenever necessary and whenever she has time. However, she cannot function like a full-time Secretariat member. It is a party decision that Sreemathy Teacher should now work at the central level," said K.K. Shailaja.

"The CPM currently has a policy of removing members from party committees once they cross 75 years of age. Sreemathy Teacher was excluded from the State Committee and the Secretariat due to this age limit. She is not the only one; others like A.K. Balan have also stepped aside in the same manner. This move is intended to make space for new members. Those who have been excluded this way, including A.K. Balan, are still actively engaged in political work. There is no concept of "retirement" in the CPM," Shailaja said.

"P.K. Sreemathy Teacher is the President of the All India Democratic Women's Association. In that capacity, she needs to travel across India and take a leadership role in the association’s activities. Therefore, she was appointed as a member of the Central Committee," she added.