Chennithala accuses Vijayan of trying to tighten control over CPI(M) in Kerala

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday criticised Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Vijayan over his recent comments against independent MLAs V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan, alleging that the CPI(M) leader was trying to strengthen his control over the party.

Chennithala was referring to remarks Vijayan made during CPI(M) meetings in Payyannur and Thaliparamba, where he criticised the two independent MLAs. Both were former CPI(M) leaders and won the Assembly elections with the support of the UDF.

Vijayan had described Thaliparamba independent MLA Govindan as an "opportunist" and accused Payyannur MLA Kunhikrishnan of "betraying" the party by joining hands with its opponents.

"For the past two days, the Leader of the Opposition in Keralam Assembly has been blaming and challenging the public during his own party meetings. 'The people made a mistake!' The party central committee identified shortcomings and mistakes and published them. Statements made by Vijayan, severely criticising even those findings of the central committee, are in fact a breach of discipline," Chennithala said.

He questioned whether Vijayan considered himself above the party and asked what authority he had to make such statements.

Chennithala also questioned the CPI(M) district leadership over alleged threats against Kunhikrishnan and Govindan.

"The party district secretary is threatening Kunhikrishnan and Govindan Master. What authority does he have to threaten them? Does a party district secretary have the authority to intimidate people like that?" he asked.

Chennithala said the CPI(M) leadership should focus on understanding the reasons behind its electoral defeat rather than blaming voters. 

"In the last election, a strong wave of public anger erupted against Vijayan's administration in Keralam. The people brought that government down. The UDF received an unprecedented majority in history. Yet, they learn nothing from this. They still claim that the people made a mistake and that the people should correct themselves," he said.

He also criticised CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K K Ragesh for saying that the party's defeat in Thaliparamba was linked to its decision to field a woman candidate.

Chennithala said the CPI(M) central committee had already criticised the candidate selection in Thaliparamba, but Ragesh had attributed the defeat to the candidate being a woman.

"Even though the central committee sharply criticised the candidate selection in Thaliparamba as a failure, the district secretary claims that they lost simply because the candidate was a woman. So women cause losses? The district secretary is saying that choosing a woman candidate leads to defeat because she is a weak candidate. Isn't that an insult to women?" he asked. 

Chennithala described the remark as "misogynistic" and alleged that the recent CPI(M) meetings were part of an effort by Vijayan to consolidate his position within the party.

"It is to consolidate power within the full party state committee and maintain their own strength. It is Vijayan's tactic to seize control of the party," he alleged.

Chennithala also pointed out that CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan was absent from the meetings and questioned whether he supported the remarks made by other party leaders.

MV Govindan's wife, P K Shyamala, had unsuccessfully contested the election from Thaliparamba.

"Does Govindan Master endorse what Ragesh said? He should clarify that," Chennithala said.  (with inputs from PTI)