CPM Infighting Has First Repurcussion; Kerala Assembly Adjourned

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan’s removal from CPM Polit bureau cast its repercussions on Kerala Assembly on Monday with the Congress-led UDF stalling the proceedings, citing the ongoing “infighting” in CPM has led to “complete breakdown” of administrative machinery in the state.

Consequently, the Assembly was postponed after the UDF stalled the proceedings with demand of adjournment motion to discuss the issue.

It may be mentioned that Achuthanandan, who was expelled from from Polit Bureau on Sunday for violating party discipline, was present in the House as the opposition sought to derive mileage out of the turmoil in the CPI(M)’s Kerala unit.

Raising the issue by arguing that the problems in the CPI(M) had resulted in complete breakdown of administrative machinery in the state, UDF members trooped into the well of the House and shouted slogans against the government.

Speaker K Radhakrishnan maintained that the Opposition had raised the same issue on June 22 and there was no precedent to take up a matter for the second time and did not allow UDF members even to speak on the issue.

Irate over the Speaker’s action, Opposition leader Oommen Chandy alleged the recent bomb blast in Ernakulam Collectorate and spurt in prices of essential commodities were some of the issues being sidelined due to ‘infighting’ in the CPI(M).

As the opposition protest in the well continued, the Speaker rushed through other business and adjourned the House for the day. The adjournment motion was sought to be moved by former minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani.