The escalation of tensions is part of a no-holds-barred attempt by both the factions to take control of the party in the upcoming organizational elections to be held in the course of the state conference scheduled for next month.

The trouble began with Achuthanandan defying a directive by Vijayan not to have lunch with ‘Berlin’ Kunhanandan Nair, who had been expelled from the party last year. VS did visit the house of Nair but did not have lunch with him in view of the ‘ban’. But he had a glass of coconut water! The statement Nair made after the VS visit has incurred the wrath of the official wing of the Kerala unit of the CPI(M).

VS followed it up by taking strong exception to the action taken against party workers in Kasargod who had taken part in the demonstrations held in various parts of the state when he was a denied a ticket to contest the assembly elections. Such action went against the party constitution which states that no disciplinary action can be taken once the schedule for the state conference has been announced, asserted VS.

The official wing however justified the action saying that the state conference of the party held on May 24 and 25 had taken a decision to take serious note of the demonstrations ‘in violation of party discipline’.

Angered by the VS stance, the official wing of the Kerala CPI(M) lodged a complaint with the central leadership. The issue is likely to be discussed in the Central Committee and Polit Bureau meetings to be held in Kolkata on 4 and 5 August. The issue may also figure in the state committee meeting slated to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on August 10, 11 and 12.

The aggressive stance adopted by the official wing of the Kerala CPI(M) is being interpreted as a concerted effort to cut to size VS, whose increased popularity post-elections has unnerved it . The thinking in the official wing camp seems to be that if VS is not stopped now, he may up the ante and make things difficult for them in the state conference.

On his part, Achuthanandan has also adopted a proactive stance for two reasons. One, VS is determined to erase the impression that he does not stand by his supporters when it comes to the crunch. Two, to demonstrate that he has not been put on the defensive by the charges against his son, Arun Kumar, against whom a vigilance probe has been ordered by the Oommen Chandy government.

Another factor which has encouraged VS to be on the offensive has been the strong support he has received from the Polit Bureau, which frowned on the Kerala leadership when VS was denied a ticket to contest the assembly polls. The PB came to VS’s rescue again when the state secretariat refused to acknowledge the stellar role VS played in ensuring a strong performance of the party in the assembly elections. Thanks to the PB’s intervention, the state committee not only rejected the secretariat report but also praised VS’s contribution to the party’s creditable show in the assembly elections.

All this has not been to the liking of the official wing led by Pinarayi Vijayan. So, the faction struck when VS gave them an opportunity by defying the Vijayan directive not to visit Berlin Kunhananthan Nair. The VS statement justifying the demonstrations in his support also came in handy for the official wing to strike against him.

But the official wing has suffered a few setbacks during the last few months. First, P. Sasi, former secretary of the party in Kannur district has been expelled for sexual misconduct. Sasi was a staunch Vijayan loyalist. Another Vijayan aide, Gopi Kottamurickal, secretary of the Ernakulam district committee has also been removed from the post following a complaint of misconduct against him. Needless to say, the two quick setbacks have caused concern in the Vijayan camp and elation among VS supporters.

Significantly, two staunch Vijayan loyalists, former education minister M A Baby and CC member E P Jayarajan see nothing wrong in VS visit to Kunhanandan Nair’s house. Their stance shows that the Kannur lobby is no longer as strong and solid as it used to be. It is too early to say whether their stand will have a decisive bearing on the organizational elections. But one thing is for sure. The changing equations cannot but cause concern in the Vijayan camp.

Much depends on the stand the central leadership of the party takes on the gathering storm in the Kerala CPI(M). If it once again intervenes in favour of VS, things could become difficult for the official wing. The conference may also see a demand for a change in the state party leadership. It may be mentioned that Pinarayi has remained state party secretary for more than 12 years.

Whatever the denouement, the central leadership will have a tough time ensuring that sectarianism does not go out of control in the run-up to the organizational elections ahead. Testing time ahead for the Kerala CPI(M). (IPA Service)