THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly three years after his acquittal in a drug case, Bineesh Kodiyeri — son of late CPM stalwart Kodiyeri Balakrishnan — is awaiting the party’s green signal to return. Despite repeated pleas to renew his membership, the CPM leadership has kept him at arm’s length.
Amid reports of state secretary M V Govindan’s reluctance to take him back, Bineesh on Friday dropped a cryptic social media post — “I am also a Cockroach” — an apparent swipe at those sidelining him in the backdrop of the “Cockroach Janata Party” row.
The CPM froze Bineesh’s membership in 2020 after his arrest in a drug peddling case. Though acquitted in 2023, his path back into the party remains blocked. At the time of his arrest, Bineesh was attached to the branch linked to CPM’s Thiruvananthapuram district committee office.
Following his acquittal, he approached the committee seeking reinstatement. Sources say he submitted the request four times, but the party is yet to act. “It is for the district committee to decide. At a recent DC meeting attended by Govindan, a member raised the request. Even then, no decision was taken,” a leader said.
‘Leadership’s argument strange’
Sources said the CPM state leadership remains wary of taking Bineesh back, citing some of his social media posts following the LDF’s electoral setback.
“Some leaders argued that his request should be considered, fearing he may otherwise leave the party. But the state secretary maintained that a decision can be made only after examining all aspects, including his social media posts,” a district leader said.
“The leadership’s argument sounds strange as it was a recommendation made by the district committee. The issue has now come to the attention of the central leadership after Govindan referred to it just before the CC meeting,” said sources.
The CPM state leadership, however, brushed aside the allegations. Speaking to TNIE, Govindan sought to play down the controversy, saying Bineesh is currently not a party member. “It is not for the state leadership to decide. The matter rests with local leadership,” he said. Despite repeated attempts, Bineesh declined to comment.