THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state capital will witness hectic political activity from the CPM camp in the first week of January. The politburo meet on January 5 and Central Committee meet in the next three days will discuss and deliberate on the Left’s political course on different issues.
In view of the impending elections in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab - the PB, CC meetings will discuss the current political scenario and the course of action to be adopted during the polls. The leadership meets would be crucial for Kerala too.
“The Left has been observing the dramatic political developments in different parts of the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh. The leadership meets in the first week of January will look into CPM’s stance during the polls. There is a broad outline set by the Party Congress. Based on which a decision would be taken keeping in mind the unity of Left forces,” sources said.
A number of other issues, including implementation of Kolkata Plenum decisions, may also figure in the CC meeting. In connection with the four-day politburo and Central Committee, a public meeting is also being organised at Putharikkandam on January 7.
The meeting is expected to be attended by Politburo members led by general secretary Sitaram Yechury.
Crucial for Kerala CPM
The four-day PB, CC meetings would be keenly watched by the state unit also as a number of issues related to Kerala including the PB Commission report in the V S Achuthanandan issue will figure in these meetings.
Though the PB commission report in the Achuthanandan issue came up before the PB last November, it didn’t discuss the report in detail and kept it for the January meeting. The PB Commission has not recommended for any major action against the veteran leader considering different facts.
The PB Commission was of the view that the issues that came up before it have lost relevance. The party has also acknowledged the crucial role played by the nonagenarian in the Assembly elections which saw the Left storming to power. The party Central leadership too is keen to finish off the proceedings. Once the issue is discussed in the PB, it will come to the Central committee for detailed discussion. The Central committee is expected to take a call on Achuthanandan’s demand that he should be inducted into the state secretariat.
A couple of other issues related to the state including nepotism charges against CC members E P Jayarajan and P K Sreemathy may also figure in the meeting. Though Jayarajan has been removed from the Cabinet following allegations, he being a CC member it has to come before the CC. Also the internal criticism raised by Jayarajan and Sreemathy in the state forums may also figure in the meeting. Jayarajan was reportedly unhappy over the hasty manner in which state secretariat member M M Mani was inducted into the Cabinet as his replacement.
Meanwhile Mani - the replacement for Jayarajan who had to resign taking moral responsibility - is facing another moral dilemma.
With the court rejecting his discharge petition in the Ancherry Baby murder case, demands are on for his resignation. But the CPM has rejected the same. That is when V S Achuthanandan wrote to the Central leadership questioning Mani’s continuance in the cabinet.
“The Central leadership hasn’t received the reported letter. As of now there is no need for the issue to be discussed by the Central leadership. The state leadership has to take a decision which they have already done. Unless it is raised by the state committee, it won’t come up for discussion during the CC,” sources added.