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CPM disowns remark, but Kerala may reopen cases
The CPI(M) on Sunday described as incorrect the statement of Idukki district secretary MM Mani that the party had annihilated its political opponents.
The CPI(M) on Sunday described as incorrect the statement of Idukki district secretary MM Mani that the party had annihilated its political opponents.
Party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said Mani had committed a mistake and his speech was a deviation from the party’s political line.
"It is a mistake and not the party line," he said at a hurriedly convened press conference, requesting party leaders not to make controversial statements when it was reeling under attacks from its opponents.
“The party has grown over the years resisting attacks from different quarters. But countering violence with violence is not the CPI(M) policy,” he said.
Addressing a public meeting in Idukki district on Friday night, Mani had said the party often prepared lists of its opponents and planned their execution. He warned that TP Chandraseksharan’s killing was not the last political murder in the state. He also explained it in detail how the party executed murders in the 1980s.
Meanwhile, chief minister Ooomen Chandy said the government would reopen some of the cases mentioned by Mani. “Pinarayi said it was only a mistake. However, he hasn’t denied the party’s involvement in the four murder cases mentioned by Mani,” Chandy said.
In the four cases of murder mentioned by Mani (Baby Ancheri in 1982, M Mathai 1983, M Nanappan in 1983, and M Balu in 2004), except in the last instance, all accused have been set free for want of evidence.
Opposition leader VS Acthanandan has slammed Mani’s controversial speech. “He’s trying to give an impression that the CPM is a party of killers. It is ridiculous.”
