File picture of CPI (M) veteran VS Achuthanandan.
Kerala's Opposition Leader and CPI (M) stalwart VS Achuthanandan staged a walkout of his party's three-day state conference in Alappuzha District. Sources said the veteran leader was miffed by severe criticism levelled against him by party workers.
Mr Achuthanandan, 91, is said to have given a clear diktat to his party, that he would return to the state conference only if a resolution criticising him is rejected. The conference holds significance for the CPI (M)'s Kerala unit, as a new state secretary would be named, to replace outgoing secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, who is stepping down after three consecutive terms.
The former Kerala Chief Minister has come under fire from within his party, based on an organizational report submitted by Mr Vijayan. The criticism is based on portions of the report that that claim Achuthanandan has acted defiance of the party line on several issues, including the Kudankulam issue and the murder of party rebel TP Chandrashekharan.
Mr Achuthanandan has been seen to be adopting postures contrary to his party's stand on several occasions in the past. He had recently written a letter to his party's central committee, which has since been leaked, questioning its stand on a number of issues. These included questions over the 2012 murder of Chandrashekharan and the sudden withdrawal of protests against Congress over the Solar Scam, which rocked Kerala last year.
In the face of severe criticism and reports that Mr Achuthanandan culd resign as the Opposition leader, his office has said no decision would be taken until the CPI (M)'s central committee takes a decision on how to deal with the resolution.