LDF panel to discuss bar row amid CPI(M)-CPI spat

Leaders of the two parties are not on the same page on how to respond to the allegation against the Finance Minister.

November 17, 2014 12:56 pm | Updated April 09, 2016 10:20 am IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

The much-talked about meeting of the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) State committee to discuss the bar bribery charges will take place here on Monday against the backdrop of sharp exchanges between the CPI(M) and the CPI over the issue and the latter’s worries about the intentions of the CPI(M).

With their statements and actions, leaders of the two parties have made it clear that they are not on the same page on how to respond to the allegation that Finance Minister K.M. Mani had taken a bribe of Rs.1 crore from bar owners.

The CPI is clear that the matter should be the subject of a judicial inquiry. The CPI(M) does not agree. There is no agreement within the CPI(M) on the issue. Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan has taken his own position on the issue.

He first sought a Vigilance investigation and later demanded a CBI probe. As the divided Opposition groped in the dark, the government quickly order a preliminary examination by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).

The CPI is sore that the CPI(M) did not show enough enthusiasm to convene a meeting of the LDF State committee and announce a series of agitations to force the government to do something more.

The party had sought an LDF meeting on November 2, immediately after the allegations erupted, but in vain. It then announced a ‘Secretariat March’ on its own.

Finally, a meeting was fixed for November 10 but it failed to materialise following CMP leader M.V. Raghavan’s death.

The CPI went ahead with its march. The decision to have the meeting on Monday was taken following this.

The LDF committee has the tough task of finding a common ground on the issue as it will not be able to decide on an agitation without first arriving at a consensus on what the LDF wants the government to do.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.