Unable to handle VS, CPI(M) Kerala unit asks politburo to take a call

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s state unit failing to decide the candidature of party veteran VS Achuthanandan after he reportedly set stringent conditions for contesting the Kerala assembly polls, the ball is now back in the politburo’s court. Earlier, the politburo — the CPI(M)’s apex body — had asked the state unit to take a call on Achuthanandan’s candidature.

The state unit failed to take a decision as many leaders were opposed to his candidature. Party insiders said some leaders became angry as the 92-year-old leader had demanded an assurance from party general secretary Sitaram Yechury that he wouldn’t be sidelined after the polls.

“We can’t dance to his tune anymore. The party is supreme. In the last conference, he walked out of the meet ignoring the request of the general secretary. In this age, how can we put him before the party,” asked a state leader.

However, the politburo has already asked the state unit not to precipitate the issue ahead of the polls. “It is better to sort out these issues before the polls. He doesn’t want to be the LK Advani of CPI(M),” said a leader close to the Achuthanandan camp.

According to party insiders, Achuthanandan had already told his followers that he would retire from active politics if he was sidelined. However, state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan denied rifts in the party.

“Both VS (Achuthanandan) and Pinarayi Vijayan (former secretary) can contest. The party will take a decision at the appropriate time,” he said. But Vijayan’s loyalists fear Achuthanandan —who shares a good rapport with Yechury —will pose a threat to Vijayan at the eleventh hour. Sources said the Vijayan camp wanted Achuthanandan to be at the helm of campaigning and not contest the polls. But sources said going by his nature, Achuthanandan would demand his pound of flesh.

ACHUTHANANDAN HAD REPORTEDLY DEMANDED AN ASSURANCE FROM SITARAM YECHURY THAT HE WOULD NOT BE SIDELINED AFTER POLLS