Neither the LDF nor the CPI(M) has confirmed the news officially. But prominent channels except the pro-CPI(M) channel Kairali TV are reporting it. Former labour minister and senior CPI(M) leader T P Ramakrishnan has been named as the new LDF convener.

That EP was no stranger to controversies is an open secret. But what proved the last straw was his controversial meeting with BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, who was the BJP leader in charge of Kerala at that time. Jayarajan could have – and should have – taken the party into confidence about the meeting. But, for reasons best known to him, he did not choose to do so. Not surprisingly, the meeting touched off intense speculation about Jayarajan’s political moves.

But what shocked both the LDF and the CPI(M) was his admission of the meeting with Javadekar on the day of the Lok Sabha election voting. The ill-thought-out decision caused acute embarrassment to the CPI(M) and the LDF Government. It was a highly irresponsible act on the part of Jayarajan, which sent political tongues wagging. He also caused red faces in the party when he said that BJP candidates in five Lok Sabha constituencies, including Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal and Thrissur, were strong.

Expectedly, the opposition parties tried to extract maximum political mileage out of the development, although it did not fetch them the kind of political or electoral dividend they expected. The EP revelation forced even Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has defended him on many earlier occasions, to condemn his stand.

The prevalent perception at that time was that Jayarajan was upset over being denied the post of CPI(M) state secretary in the wake of the sad demise of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Being the seniormost leader, EP thought that he would get the top party post. But the party thought otherwise. Instead of naming EP as the party chief, the CPI(M) appointed MV Govindan as the new CPI(M) state secretary. This was not to the liking of EP, who sulked and went into a prolonged non-cooperation mode. When Govindan undertook a nava Kerala yatra, EP boycotted it for a long time and attended it only after the party leadership mounted relentless pressure on him.

That action against EP was likely was clear from MV Govindan’s remark, sometime ago, to newspersons that the EP episode was not a closed chapter.

It must be mentioned that the six-decade-long career of EP Jayarajan was riddled with controversies which put the CPI(M) on the defensive on many an occasion. To mention an instance, EP had to resign as the industries minister in the first Pinarayi Vijayan Government when it came to light that the son of his relative, CPI(M) leader P K Sreemathi, was appointed as the Managing Director of KSIE. Earlier his decision to accept a two-crore bond from a controversial businessman embarrassed the party no end. Another issue which rattled the CPI(M) was the controversy over the Vaideham resort in which it was alleged that his family had investments. Adding insult to Injury was the report that BJP leader and the then Union Minister Rajiv Chandrashekhar’s firm also had links with the resort. The controversy was milked by the opposition which claimed the revelation was proof of what they claimed was the CPI(M)-BJP understanding.

The removal of EP from the LDF convener’s post cannot, however, be regarded as a disciplinary action. Since he is a member of the Central Committee only the CC has the power to take disciplinary action. All that the CPI(M) state leadership has done is to take back a post which it had entrusted to him at the state level.

There has been no reaction from EP so far. He went back to his Kannur residence without attending the CPI(M) state Committee meeting. The State Committee has endorsed the state secretariat’s decision to remove EP. When presspersons pressed him for a comment, all that EP said was that he would inform them when he has something to say.

The Opposition parties have promptly pounced on the development with unconcealed glee. Understandable. Leader of the Opposition has expressed his ‘sympathy’ for EP by stating that he was being ignored by the party for a long time. (IPA Service)