Thomas Chandy issue clouds LDF meet

CM terms CPI boycott of Cabinet meet unacceptable

Thomas Chandy

The CPI Ministers’ boycott of the State Cabinet meeting on November 14, embarrassing the CPI(M) and the forcing former Transport Minister Thomas Chandy to step down, came to haunt the LDF State committee meeting here on Sunday.

The LDF State committee saw the CPI(M) and CPI leaders clash over the issue with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan taking strong exception to the CPI Ministers’ action.

‘No reason’

Mr. Chandy’s resignation was very much in the works and would have happened even if the CPI Ministers had not boycotted the Cabinet meeting. That Mr. Chandy would have to go had been communicated to the CPI leadership. That being the case, there was no reason for the CPI to resort to such an extreme action.

Endorsing the Chief Minister’s stand, CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the CPI action was uncalled for as the matter was under the active consideration of the front leadership and the CPI leadership was aware of this. He, however, conceded that the CPI leadership was in touch with him on the issue and the party’s stand on Mr. Chandy’s continuation in the Cabinet had been communicated to him.

Responding, CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran said the decision that CPI Ministers need not attend the Cabinet meeting was taken by the party leadership when there was no firm action on the decision of the LDF State committee meeting held on November 12 authorising the Chief Minister to secure Mr. Chandy’s resignation. The decision to boycott the Cabinet meeting was taken at 8.45 a.m. on November 14 when it became known that Mr. Chandy too was attending the Cabinet meeting. This was something that the party could not accept, he explained.

Mr. Rajendran also turned his ire at the NCP leadership which had failed to take a timely decision in the matter as decided by the LDF leadership. Had they taken the decision on time, the situation would not have gone out of hand.

The CPI bid was not to take credit for Mr. Chandy’s resignation, but to assert a principle, he said.