CPI(M) suspends Achuthanandan, Vijayan from politbureau

26 May 2007

Mumbai: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have suspended the feuding Kerala chief minister V S Achutanandan and the state unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan from the party''s politburo, sending a strong signal that it will not tolerate factionalism.

The two will, however, continue to serve in their current positions.

Days after the two CPI(M) veterans aired their criticism of each other in public recently especially after the government''s demolition drive in Munnar hill resort, the politbureau took serious note of the issue and decided to get its act together to set the faction-ridden state unit in order.

Announcing the decision, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said the open criticism by the two senior leaders have violated the norms of the party and the clear directive of the politbureau and the central committee.

While Vijayan enjoys majority support in the party`s state unit, Achuthananandan`s public popularity is at its zenith, particularly after he ordered the demolition of illegal constructions on encroached land.

The use of bulldozers and sledgehammers in Munnar has further cemented the chief minister`s popular image as no nonsense administrator who has a heart for the poor but will never spare the filthy rich flouting law.