Thiruvannatharupam: The Kerala state CPM wants its own chief minister out. The reason: His stand against his number 2 Pinari Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin corruption case.
The immediate provocation was Wednesday's cabinet meeting where barring Achuthanandan every one endorsed state Advocate General's advise against prosecuting Pinarayi Vijayan.
"The CPIM leader should use the opportunity, whenever it comes in the court, to come clean on the issue. The charges cannot be fought by fighting against the judges," says Achuthanandan.
The case is 12-year-old in which Pinnarayi Vijayan is accused of giving a contract to a Canadian company SNC Lavalin to renovate and construct power plants. The state exchequer allegedly lost 374 crore rupees as a result.
There is no evidence that Pinarayi took money, but the CBI has accused him of being part of a conspiracy.
However, the Opposition is not convinced. It has asked governor to reject the cabinet decision and sanction prosecution proceedings against Vijayan.
Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy says: "Yes of course that is a natural thing but the Government is trying to shield him following the directions of the Marxist party."
The state leadership has sent a clear message that no leader is above the party. So Achuthanandan has only two options before him -- either go by the party line or step down.
Though reports indicate that CPM chief Prakash Karat has made it clear that Achutanandan will not be asked to step down, this is just more trouble for an already fractured state CPM.