The CPI(M) State Secretariat is of the firm view that the party has been meted out a shabby deal in the matter by the CEO. The CPI(M)’s complaint against the CEO is that he has been soft on similar complaints against the Congress-led United Democratic Front(UDF) in particular and the Indian Union Muslim League(IUML) in particular.

The CPI(M) alleges, the CEO refused to consider the explanation offered by Cheruthazham grama panchayat member NP Saleena and former member KP Sumayya that they had exercised their franchise for ailing persons with their consent. The CEO, the CPI(M) leaders further allege, did not bother to hear their version before initiating action. This, was nothing but a blatant act of partisanship, the CPI(M) leadership alleged.

In contrast to this, the CEO gave enough time to the IUML leadership to furnish an explanation, the CPI(M) leaders complained.

The State Secretariat of the CPI(M) has also decided to launch a campaign against the alleged malpractices committed by the IUML workers.

On his part, CEO Teeka Ram Meena has said that strict action would be taken if the allegations of bogus voting are proved. The State election officials are waiting for the decision of the Election Commission to which the complaints of bogus voting have been forwarded.

The CEO has also not ruled out a repoll. Normally, a repoll is held only when there are complaints of large-scale bogus voting. In this particular case, the bogus voting numbers have been too small. Still, the option of repoll has not been closed, he added.

So far, only seven cases of bogus voting have been confirmed involving both CPI(M) and IUML workers.

Meanwhile, the confirmation by the CEO of involvement of three IUML workers as well in bogus voting has taken the wind out of the UDF propaganda that the CPI(M) alone is to blame for bogus voting.

IUML leaders who have been vehemently denying involvement of workers of their party in bogus voting have been left red-faced in the wake of the revelations by the CEO of the role of IUML workers.

The pro-UDF media, which has been going ga ga over alleged bogus voting by CPI(M) workers, has also been forced to admit bogus voting by IUML workers as well.

The agenda to extract maximum political mileage out of the charge against the CPI(M) has fallen flat following the CEO’s findings against the IUML. (IPA Service)