But all the good work was undone by an act of indiscretion, which has sent shock waves among the cadres rejuvenated and energised by the plenum success.

The considerable gains made by the plenum were marred on the concluding day when the CPI(M) mouthpiece, ‘Deshabhimani’ carried an advertisement of controversial businessman, V M Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Soorya group of companies. Ironically, only a day ago, the Plenum document had made an earnest appeal to the cadres to shun mafiais and businessmen of dubious credentials! Incidentally, Radhakrishnan is an accused in the ‘suicide’ case of V Saseendran, former company secretary of the Malabar Cements Limited. Radhakrishnan, who had been arrested by the CBI for abetting the suicide of Saseendran, is out on bail at present.

The ‘offence’ was compounded by the defence by Deshabhimani GM and CPI(M) Central Committee member, E. P. Jayarajan, of the decision to carry the controversial ad. There is nothing wrong in criminal cases against industrialists. But that does not mean we cannot carry their advertisements. We will do what we like! That was the arrogant reaction of Jayarajan when asked by newspersons about the propriety of carrying the ad while the plenum was discussing the rectification document. An important feature of the plenum document is the advice to party leaders and cadres to be humble and polite in their day-to-day dealings with the people! Incidentally, Jayarajan had been removed as the Deshabhimani GM following a controversy over accepting a bond worth Rs two crore from lottery king, Santiago Martin. There is a distinct possibility of action against him in the wake of the latest controversy as State party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has hinted at a probe into the issue.

That the thoughtless decision has angered the leaders and cadres alike is clear from their strong reaction. A number of senior leaders, including M M Lawrence and Anathalavattom Anandan have strongly criticized the move. CPI(M) MLA, Babu M. Palissery noted in his facebook that the decision should have been avoided. It amounted to a precipitous fall into a deep gorge from a peak, he lamented. Similarly, A. K. Balan, convener of the plenum reception committee also frowned upon the Deshabhimani’s decision. Last but not the least, leader of the opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, also aired his anger at the decision. VS had left without attending the public meeting after the conclusion of the plenum amid rumours that he was upset about the criticism against him at the plenum by a few leaders belonging to the official group led by Pinarayi Vijayan.

Even the central leaders of the party did not hide their dismay over the developments. Both CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and Politburo member Sitaram Yechury are learnt to have conveyed their displeasure to the Kerala leaders.

Although Pinarayi tried to explain away the unfortunate turn of events as an orchestrated move by the rightwing media to play down the plenum success, it is clear that the party will have to pay a price for the ill-advised decision.

The controversial decision has come close on the heels of allegations of corruption against former Industries Minister Elamaram Karim.

The political benefits the CPI(M) hoped to extract from the invitation to Finance Minister and Kerala Congress(M) chief K. M. Mani to attend a seminar organised as part of the plenum have also failed to materialize. Mani made it clear at the seminar, to the chagrin of the party, that he had no plans to cross over to the LDF, speculation about which is rife. (IPA Service)