CPI(M) Central panel to censure Pinarayi

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 30. The decision of the central committee of the CPI(M) to censure the State secretary, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, for his announcement relating to an electoral understanding with the IUML comes as a major blow for Mr. Vijayan and the Chief Minister, Mr. E.K. Nayanar, who had been leaving no stone unturned to change the declared policy of the party.

In fact, Mr. Vijayan's declaration, after the State committee meeting, that the party had decided to go in for a tactical tie- up with the Muslim League in the coming panchayat elections in the State was at variance with even the deliberations within the State committee. He might have been trying to advance his cause a little bit more than what his party would allow just to get mileage. But he ignored the fact that there was strong opposition to his move from even within the State unit led by Mr. V. S. Achuthanandan, not to speak of the Central leadership.

After Mr. Vijayan, Mr. Nayanar went on record saying that what Mr. Vijayan had said at the press conference was the party's policy. Every card holding member of the party would follow that decision. He also added that the matter had been discussed at the Politburo a month ago and it had given the green signal for local-level tie-ups.

The decision of the central committee negates these announcements and unequivocally reiterates the decision taken at the Party Congress held in Calcutta a few years ago. What it has allowed is local-level tie-ups with splinter groups coming out of the UDF at the panchayat level. This might not bring significant benefits to the CPI(M) unlike a broader understanding with the Muslim League or other parties in the UDF.

Though the differences in the State unit of the party would appear outwardly as being over policies and mean to be adopted for electoral victory, beneath it lies a power struggle for control of the party itself. The two groups in the party are trying to make maximum gains considering the forthcoming State conference and organisational elections. An alliance with the Muslim League would facilitate significant electoral gains for the party in North Kerala. This, in turn, would strengthen the hands of Mr. Vijayan and Mr. Nayanar who are from the North. The Central committee's decisions, at least, temporarily upsets the plans of the two and their supporters. Though Mr. Achuthanandan does not seem to enjoy a majority in the State committee, the Central committee's decision comes as a shot in the arm for him. He would be fighting more vigorously now to assert his known positions.

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