CPI(M) cracks down on members who publicly criticised Health Minister

The Hindu

2 days ago

Over a month after two Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] members in Pathanamthitta publicly criticised Health Minister Veena George in the wake of the collapse of a building at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, the party has initiated disciplinary action against them.
Party sources said here on Thursday that the Eraviperoor area committee has recommended to the district committee that former Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairman N. Rajeev be demoted to the Vallamkulam local committee for his remarks about the Minister. P.J. Johnson, a member of the Elanthoor local committee, has been suspended for three months. The action against Mr. Johnson has been initiated soon after his social media post criticising Ms. George. In the case of Mr. Rajeev, the district committee is expected to make a decision soon, a party source said.
Mr. Rajeev had earlier been removed from the District CWC chairman post in connection with an alleged attempt to sabotage a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case involving a lawyer. Following this, he reportedly fell out of favour with the Minister, a party leader from Pathanamthitta.
Mr. Johnson voiced his objections on social media regarding Ms. George's handling of the building collapse, writing: 'Let alone a Minister, Veena George does not even deserve to be an MLA. Nothing more to say… don't compel me to say more…'
Factionalism
The CPI(M) in Pathanamthitta has been fraught with factionalist tendencies with a section of the cadre voicing their resentment over various issues, including the alleged 'undue prominence' being accorded to Ms. George in the party. Following the recent reconstitution of the party State committee, veteran leader A. Padmakumar had publicly criticised the party leadership for excluding him from the committee while including Ms. George as an invitee. After intervention from senior leaders, Mr. Padmakumar softened his stance, acknowledging that taking his protest public had been a mistake.
'Not quit, but on leave'
Meanwhile, CPI(M) Pathanamthitta district secretary Raju Abraham has dismissed reports claiming that the party's Ranni area committee secretary T.N. Sivankutty had resigned, clarifying that he is on leave for health reasons. 'Mr. Sivankutty had submitted a letter to the party's district committee requesting leave due to health issues. Based on this, the Ranni area committee meeting held on Wednesday assigned the temporary charge of secretary to K.P. Subhash Kumar. He will hold this responsibility until Mr. Sivankutty returns,' Mr. Abraham said.