The ruling CPI(M) and its allies would launch a State-wide agitation in Kerala from November 1 against the high-handed behaviour of Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor. This was declared by M V Govindan, the Kerala secretary of the CPI(M) on Sunday. The decision was taken in the liaison committee of the Left Democratic Front which met at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday afternoon.
“The Governor has become a tool of the Sangh Parivar and he is trying to derail all development works and progressive measures initiated by the CPI(M) led Kerala Government. That is the reason why he is not signing on the legislations enacted by the Assembly. He is functioning as a tool of the RSS and Sangh Parivar, the Hindu communalists,” said Govindan while addressing the media.
The CPI(M)’s announcement comes at a time when the Governor is contemplating action against the Kerala Government’s move to unilaterally nominate and appoint persons handpicked by the party as vice-chancellors of the universities in the State.
The CPI(M) had suffered a setback last night when the Supreme Court nullified the appointment of M S Rajasree as the vice-chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University describing it as a violation of norms specified by the University Grants Commission. The fate of other three vice-chancellors too hang in the balance following the apex court verdict.
Govindan said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would lead an agitation in front of the Raj Bhavan at Thiruvananthapuram on November 15 against the Governor’s “evil designs”.
“There will be State-wide protests before this grant agitation which would see the participation of all frontal organisations of the party joining it. All tributary units of the CPI(M) representing children, students, youth, farmers, artisans and workers would line-up to expose the original intention of the Governor,” said Govindan.
He also said that the CPI(M) would ignore the allegations and sexual assault charges levelled by God Smuggling scam accused Swapna Suresh against party leaders with contempt. “It has been levelled by an accused person and why we should give attention to such charges?” asked the drill teacher-turned-party ideologist.
Meanwhile Thomas Issac, former finance minister, blamed the BJP and the Sangh Parivar for the allegations made by Swapna Suresh against him. “She is the foster daughter of the Sangh Parivar and it is their style of attacking enemies with this kind of propaganda. Am I that foolish to invite this lady to Munnar where I have never gone?” asked Issac who reportedly persuaded Swapna to the hill resort Munnar.
Party insiders said the CPI(M) leadership has decided to ignore the charges made by Swapna Suresh as there was nothing new in them. The Congress too is not taking up the issue with due seriousness as the party is yet to recover from the shock caused by Eldhose Kunnappillil, MLA, who allegedly molested and abused a lady school teacher. Kunnappillil has been suspended from the party for six months for not showing due care and caution during his interaction with the public. The Congress MLA has been granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court and he has come out of hiding after more than ten days.
V D Satheeshan, leader of the opposition, told media persons that the CPI(M) led Government should file at least a FIR against the three senior leaders who have been named by Swapna Suresh. “The police were quick in filing charges against Kunnappillil. The law should be the same for all,” said Satheeshan.