KANNUR: The death of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu and the alleged role of former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya have created differences within the CPM. The DYFI state leadership stated that the organisation does not have reasons to disbelieve the complaint raised by Divya, who had levelled allegations against the ADM. However, the CPM Pathanamthitta district committee is standing solidly with the family of the deceased, rejecting the position of the DYFI.
“What we have with us is a copy of a complaint. We don’t have to disbelieve Divya, who was with us in the organisation,” DYFI state president V Vaseef and secretary V K Sanoj told reporters.
They said an investigation into the incident is going on. “The CPM has taken a decision. The party has asked Divya to stay away during the investigation,” Vaseef said.
However, CPM Pathanamthitta district secretary K P Udayabhanu said the party cannot accept such a stand coming from any organisation. Udayabhanu told reporters that he is unaware of the DYFI’s stand. “The CPM has a single stand on the issue. We stand with the family. Divya has been removed from the post and a case has been registered against her for abetment of suicide. The responsibility of the investigation has been taken away from the district collector. The government and the party will go ahead with action against Divya,” he said.
It was inappropriate on Divya’s part to bring media to a private function, he said, adding that the party’s state leadership and Kannur committee will decide on the future course of action. Asked whether anyone in the CPM has any role in the conspiracy, he said it is up to the party to examine those things.
Right from the beginning, the Pathanamthitta committee has taken a strong stand that action should be taken against Divya for abetting the suicide of Naveen Babu. Party area committee member and CITU leader Malayalapuzha Mohan had alleged there was a conspiracy in holding the farewell function though Naveen Babu was not keen on it.
CPM Kannur district panel takes a lenient view on issue
Malayalapuzha Mohan had said the timing of the meeting was also changed to suit Divya’s convenience. It was this stand that led to Divya’s removal from the post of the Kannur district panchayat president.
The Kannur district committee, to which Divya belongs, has taken a more lenient view on the issue. According to the Kannur district secretariat, the remarks Divya made at the meeting should have been avoided. The strong stand of the employees’ organisations that are loyal to the CPM and that of Revenue Minister K Rajan also contributed to Divya’s exit.