As the Communist Party of India (Marxist) successfully concludes its state conference, the party now has to deal with leaders dissatisfied with new additions to the state committee and state secretariat.
Former MLA and veteran CPI(M) leader A. Padmakumar has openly expressed his displeasure over Health Minister Veena George being included as a special invitee to the state committee. On Sunday, Padmakumar posted on Facebook: "Betrayal, deception, and humiliation. 52 years of service, and this is what I get. Lal Salaam."
Speaking to the media this morning, Padmakumar clarified that he has no objections to experienced leaders like K.P. Udayabhanu and Raju Abraham from the Pathanamthitta unit being part of the state committee. However, he strongly opposed Veena George’s inclusion, arguing that she has no significant experience in organizational work.
"She became an MLA twice and then a minister. She is capable, but when someone reaches the upper echelons of the party purely based on parliamentary activities, naturally, there will be differing opinions. At least someone needs to speak out," he told a news channel.
Padmakumar also hinted that he expects disciplinary action against him but asserted his commitment to the party. "I joined SFI at 15. It has been 52 years now. At my age, I don’t want to seek another party. I will remain with CPI(M). I don’t want to change my ideology or stance. If the party allows, I will stay," he said, while also remarking that Veena George’s nine years in the party seem to outweigh his 52 years of service.
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Meanwhile, veteran leader P. Jayarajan’s son, Jain Raj, also posted a cryptic message on Facebook, seemingly alluding to his father’s exclusion from the state secretariat. Reports suggest that Jayarajan had voiced his protest against the new panel in the party forum. Kannur district secretary M.V. Jayarajan was promoted to the state secretariat, paving the way for a new district secretary in Kannur.
Janathipathya Mahila Association leader N. Sukanya also shared a quote from Che Guevara about "injustice," which many interpreted as a veiled protest over her exclusion from the state committee. However, she later clarified that the post had no connection to the party’s internal politics.
In Thiruvananthapuram, veteran leader Anavoor Nagappan was removed from the state secretariat due to age restrictions. There were expectations that a senior leader from the district would be included in the new panel, but no such appointment was made.
