Kerala compromise on the cards

The CPM’s two-day Politburo meet, to work out a deal between Kerala Chief Minister V SAchuthanadan and state party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, resulted in a stalemate.

The CPM’s two-day Politburo meet, to work out a deal between Kerala Chief Minister V SAchuthanadan and state party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, resulted in a stalemate.

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The Politburo is understood to have criticized Achuthanadan’s public comments on the SC Lavlin scam. The CM had slammed Vijayan, which was contrary to the party’s stand.

Vijayan has been named an accused by the CBI in the scam.

Presenting his case, Vijayan argued that the CM had pressed for his resignation, despite the party’s stand that the case was “politically motivated”, a source said.

“Some of the statements of V S Achuthanandan during the campaign had an adverse effect and helped the opposition campaign,” the apex decision-making body had noted.

Achuthanadan in return said it was rather the Lavlin scam and naming of Vijayan as an accused that cost the party dear in the Lok Sabha Polls.

It is being speculated that the CPM is focusing on a compromise plan, which will ask the CM to focus on his government, while Vijayan should stick to organisational matters.

If the party fails to settle the issue, it could refer it to the “party centre”— a panel comprising top leaders and available Politburo members — to work a plan to reign in the two leaders.