Thiruvananthapuram:
Former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has once again openly hit out at the CPM state leadership led by his arch-rival Pinarayi Vijayan, saying the state secretary's word is not the final word in the party. The 88-year-old Marxist veteran even likened Mr Vijayan to late Communist leader SA Dange, who was often criticised for his autocratic style of functioning.
Mr Achuthanandan's comments come in the wake of serious differences within the CPM over the murder of a former party activist TP Chandrashekaran last week. While Mr Vijayan called Mr Chandrashekaran a "traitor", Mr Achuthanandan, who was close to the slain activist, had openly backed him.
"In our party things are different. It is not like the Congress where the final word is that of the party high command. In our party, an opinion is arrived at after detailed ideological discussions," Mr Achuthanandan said when asked about Mr Vijayan's statement on Mr Chandrashekaran.
"When party colleagues express opinion on wrong polices adopted by the party, they should not be called traitors and expelled. The party leadership should instead discuss the issues with them and ensure that the party stands united. When that was not done, naturally some comrades walked out and formed a new party," Mr Achuthanandan said, justifying Mr Chandrashekaran's parting ways with the CPM and floating of a new outfit called the Revolutionary Marxist Party.
"A situation that prevailed way back in 1964 prevailed at Onchiyam (Chandrashekaran's stronghold) also," Mr Achuthanandan said, referring to the year when the Communist Party of India split, leading to the formation of the CPM. In April 1964, 38 National Council members of CPI, including Mr Achuthanandan, walked out protesting against the wrong actions of Mr Dange, who headed the CPI then.
"It should be noted that though Dange ousted us, very soon he also was booted out by his party," the 88-year-old leader said.
When asked why no one is questioning Mr Vijayan if he is like Mr Dange, Mr Achuthanandan said: "The time is not far and that will happen." Asked whether his statement would be seen as a violation of party discipline, Mr Achuthanandan replied: "At the right time, it will be clear who has violated party discipline." The senior leader has been expelled twice from the Politburo for indiscipline, after publicly criticising Mr Vijayan on many occasions.
However, party state secretary Mr Vijayan reacted cautiously to Mr Achuthanandan's comments. "The issue that has arisen now has to be discussed within the party. That will be discussed and an appropriate decision will be taken," Mr Vijayan said.
Meanwhile, a senior CPM leader told NDTV that though Mr Achuthanandan's comments constitute gross indiscipline, the CPM leadership might not take any harsh action against him now, the reason being an imminent assembly by-poll in the state early next month.
"The party is already under a shadow of doubt over the killing of Mr Chandrashekaran. Besides this, if any action is taken against Mr Achuthanandan, it may weaken the CPM when a crucial election is round the corner," said the leader on condition of anonymity.
Mr Achuthanandan's comments come in the wake of serious differences within the CPM over the murder of a former party activist TP Chandrashekaran last week. While Mr Vijayan called Mr Chandrashekaran a "traitor", Mr Achuthanandan, who was close to the slain activist, had openly backed him.
"In our party things are different. It is not like the Congress where the final word is that of the party high command. In our party, an opinion is arrived at after detailed ideological discussions," Mr Achuthanandan said when asked about Mr Vijayan's statement on Mr Chandrashekaran.
"When party colleagues express opinion on wrong polices adopted by the party, they should not be called traitors and expelled. The party leadership should instead discuss the issues with them and ensure that the party stands united. When that was not done, naturally some comrades walked out and formed a new party," Mr Achuthanandan said, justifying Mr Chandrashekaran's parting ways with the CPM and floating of a new outfit called the Revolutionary Marxist Party.
"A situation that prevailed way back in 1964 prevailed at Onchiyam (Chandrashekaran's stronghold) also," Mr Achuthanandan said, referring to the year when the Communist Party of India split, leading to the formation of the CPM. In April 1964, 38 National Council members of CPI, including Mr Achuthanandan, walked out protesting against the wrong actions of Mr Dange, who headed the CPI then.
"It should be noted that though Dange ousted us, very soon he also was booted out by his party," the 88-year-old leader said.
When asked why no one is questioning Mr Vijayan if he is like Mr Dange, Mr Achuthanandan said: "The time is not far and that will happen." Asked whether his statement would be seen as a violation of party discipline, Mr Achuthanandan replied: "At the right time, it will be clear who has violated party discipline." The senior leader has been expelled twice from the Politburo for indiscipline, after publicly criticising Mr Vijayan on many occasions.
However, party state secretary Mr Vijayan reacted cautiously to Mr Achuthanandan's comments. "The issue that has arisen now has to be discussed within the party. That will be discussed and an appropriate decision will be taken," Mr Vijayan said.
Meanwhile, a senior CPM leader told NDTV that though Mr Achuthanandan's comments constitute gross indiscipline, the CPM leadership might not take any harsh action against him now, the reason being an imminent assembly by-poll in the state early next month.
"The party is already under a shadow of doubt over the killing of Mr Chandrashekaran. Besides this, if any action is taken against Mr Achuthanandan, it may weaken the CPM when a crucial election is round the corner," said the leader on condition of anonymity.
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