The row triggered by the killing of Maoists at Manjakkatti, near Agali, in Palakkad and the arrest of two CPI(M) workers under the provisions of the Unauthorised Activities (Prevention) Act on Saturday have led to rumblings within the ruling Left Democratic Front.
The public opposition of a CPI delegation that visited Manjakkatti to the police claims of an encounter and the response of Law Minister A.K. Balan that the visit would only send a wrong message have exposed the differences of opinion between the two major allies on the issue.
Earlier instances
Mr. Balan reiterated that neither the government nor the CPI(M) was inclined to muffle dissenting voices. He said the party had always objected when those professing Maoist ideology were hounded, citing the CPI(M) response to the killings of Naxalite leaders Varghese, Varkala Vijayan, and engineering student Rajan earlier.
The CPI response to the killings and the imposition of the UAPA on the youths on Saturday has not been as scathing as in the past. However, it may leave an impression that the CPI(M) is on the back foot and has failed to honour its commitment to fight the thoughtless imposition of UAPA and conserve freedom for ideological dissemination.
Question of polls
The row has erupted at a time when both parties are celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party in India and reiterating the need for strengthening Left unity to fight the right wing forces. Despite the setback the LDF suffered in the last Lok Sabha polls, its leaders had worked unitedly in the recent byelections, securing an impressive win for the front.
Both parties will have to prove that they are on the same page on issues related to the rights of those nurturing divergent views. They should ensure that the differences do not sap the gains registered by the front in the byelections, sources said.
