Kerala: CPM distances itself from MM Mani controversy

Thiruvananthapuram: Two days after MM Mani, a CPM leader in Kerala, sent out shock waves with his statements, the Congress-led state government initiated legal action him on Monday. The Idukki district secretary of the CPM had claimed his party killed its rivals, listing out specific incidents.

Now, the police have slapped three murder and conspiracy cases against him and are all set to reopen the political murder cases that rocked the state in the early 1980s.

Red-faced, the CPM central leadership has distanced itself from his comments and promised full cooperation.

Two days after CPM leader MM Mani sent out shock waves with his statements, the Congress-led state government initiated legal action him.

For the ruling Congress in the state, the controversy is a gift and they've lost no time in attacking the party's central leadership.

Ramesh Chennithala, state Congress party chief, said, "The CPM state leadership is favouring Mani and his revelations. It is time for central leadership to intervene. But, unfortunately Prakash Karat is a weak secretary. We have not taken any action till now."

Observers say this whole controversy should be viewed in the background of the recent spat between top leaders Pinarayi Vijayan and Achuthanadan over the murder of TP Chandrasekharan. Has the infighting resulted in a huge loss of face for the party? The comrades will need to do more answering in the coming days.

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