THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Not to let political opponents cash in on the opportunity, the CPM has decided to play down the issue over Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran’s Guruvayur visit. The CPM state secretariat, that met here on Friday, decided not to create a controversy over the issue as it would not help the party, especially in view of the by-election next month. The party state leadership came to the conclusion the minister’s explanation was satisfactory. The issue may figure in the meeting by the state committee, the party faction to which Kadakampally belongs.
Kadakampally had visited Guruvayur temple on Sree Krishna Jayanthi day, taken part in rituals and offered poojas at the temple. With the issue creating ripples, CPM sought an explanation from him. At the state secretariat meeting on Tuesday, state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan reported Kadakampally’s explanation over the matter. The minister had stated he was only following temple rituals and there was no need to create a controversy over it.Some leaders had earlier raised severe criticism against his action. The state secretariat meet also saw such criticisms.
However, it was pointed out political opponents may use the opportunity. In this scenario it’s better to finish the matter without going further into the matter, the party observed. “There’s no doubt there was lapse on the part of the minister. How can a Communist leader do this? In the party there are believers and non-believers. But it’s not appropriate for a leader to do this kind of action. However, it’s better not to create a controversy over the same at this point,” a Left leader told ‘Express’.
Vengara bypoll
The CPM is likely to announce its candidate for the Vengara bypoll by September 19. Party’s Malappuram district secretariat on Saturday and the LDF district committee meet on Sunday will zero in on the candidate.