The CPM, which is bragging of creating an anti-BJP front to prevent NDA from coming to power at the Centre, is on the verge of collapse in Kerala, with the state committee dominated by secretary Pinarayi Vijayan calling for the removal of Chief Minister VS Atchudanandan. It needs no psephologist or astrologer to predict that the CPM-led LDF will be routed in Kerala and Karat'shope of anti-BJP front ruling in Delhi is a pipe dream.
The SNC-Lavlin scam of Rs. 337 crore involving Pinarayi Vijayan, when he was Power Minister, has become a ?Betal? on CPM'sneck. Rs 337 crore for the renewal of power projects was a direct contribution for the CPM funds, with neither the power projects or the state gaining anything. Ever since 2004, using its clout in Delhi (in support to UPA), CPM opposed transfer of this case to CBI. But due to a public interest litigation (PIL) and High Court of Kerala orders, the case went to CBI. On January 17, this year, CBI asked permission of Kerala Governor RS Gavai to prosecute Pinarayi. Governor on February 2 asked permission of the cabinet and the cabinet sent the same to Advocate General (AG) Sudhakara Prasad (Pinarayi'schela) for legal opinion. The CPM plotted to delay the legal opinion to the maximum. But based on a PIL, HC ordered AG to give opinion by May 11.
In a gross display of CPM'schallenge and contempt to the judicial system and criminal investigation, the AG without studying the entire documents (by his own admission) gave a clean chit to Pinarayi (his benefactor) on May 2. The cabinet which met on May 6 approved the advice of the AG, despite opposition by Chief Minister VS, who has been running a two-decade war with Pinarayi and who saw the SNC-Lavlin scam as a trump card to out-beat Pinarayi.
The cabinet decision was conveyed to the Governor but VS out-beat Pinarayi by personally conveying to the Governor that he was opposed to the clean chit and that he wanted Pinarayi to be prosecuted.
In a severe setback to VS the Pinarayi-dominated CPM state committee, which met on May 8, demanded removal of VS from the CM'spost. Even his die-hard supporters like Labour Minister PK Gurudasan had switched sides and VS stood isolated.
Pinarayi was angry at VS for not supporting him in the SNC-Lavlin scam. Also there are reports that VS supporters did not cast their votes in several constituencies for the defeat of CPM.
But the CPI, which is at the receiving end of Pinarayi'sbulldozing, has come to the rescue of VS, stating there is no need to replace him. There are reports that the CPM has cross-voted in all four seats contested by CPI, for the purpose of defeating it. It is worth stating that until recently the CPI was sitting in Pinarayi'slap and taking potshots at VS.
Kerala is facing the worst goondaism from CPM cadres. VN Saseendran, the vice-president of Poothadi Panchayat in Wayanad, was kidnapped and kept with his hands and legs tied to prevent him from voting against CPM in a no-confidence motion. Five CPM leaders and a police DSP have been arrested in this case after HC intervention. HC asked, is it in Kerala that such thing is taking place?
Four RSS workers have been killed in Kannur consequent to poll announcement, the latest being Sajith who was killed in Mattannur. The CPM hired a goonda hit-gang to murder AP Abdullakutty who quit CPM to join the Congress. The CPM Kannur MLA, P Jayarajan'sson, Anish was seriously injured while making bombs.
The Congress organised massive protests in Kannur against CPM violence and the BJP has demanded removal of VS Atchudanandan for his total failure in maintaining law and order and waging a war against corruption and mafias in the state.
