CPM turns Kerala into an industrial graveyard: One more businessman commits suicide after CPM-ruled municipality spoiled his Rs 15 crore project

A 48-year-old NRI businessman Sajan Parayil committed suicide in Kannur on Tuesday after a CPM-ruled municipality denied permission to open his newly built convention centre. Anthoor municipality in Kannur denied him the occupancy certificate which is mandatory for starting commercial operations at the convention centre.

Sajan’s wife accused the municipal chairperson PK Shyamala of abetting his suicide by deliberately stalling the project. PK Shyamala is the wife of MV Govindan, the ruling CPM’s prominent state leader and intellectual.

Sajan Parayil worked in Nigeria for several years before returning to Kerala. He had spent Rs 15 crore from his savings to build the convention centre for the villagers. However, Municipal chairperson has allegedly denied Sajan the license.

After completion of the project, Sajan had applied for the occupancy certificate on April 12. As per the norms, the certificate should have been issued within 10 days. But the CPM-ruled civic body did not give him the certificate.

“She (PK Shyamala) threatened him that he would not be able to operate the convention centre, as long as she holds the chair,” the businessman’s wife Beena told India Today TV. Sajan Parayil had approached several sate and district leaders of CPM for help, but all went in vain.

The Kerala High Court on Friday initiated suo motu proceedings in connection with the incident.

Over the years, militant trade unionism and CPM’s anti-development attitude have turned the state an industrial graveyard.

Last year, a gulf returnee committed suicide in Kollam district after CPI’s trade union prevented him from setting up an automobile workshop on a leased plot by putting up their party flag. Similar incidents have been on the rise in the state ever since the LDF government came into power in 2016. The opposition parties have slammed the CPM government and the party over the incident.