THE RULING CPI(M) found itself fending off a fresh row Friday, as party leaders openly traded charges over its Veteran face P Jayarajandrawing attention in the process to the party’s links with political violence in Kannur.

First, news emerged Wednesday that former Kannur CPI(M) district committee member Manu Thomas, who had been keeping away from party events, had ceased being a member of the party, having not renewed his membership. Soon after, former CPI(M) worker AP Akash alias Akash Thillankeri, with a long history of cases against him, including that of the murder of a Youth Congress worker, hit back on Facebook with a barely sheathed threat to Thomas, hinting at Kannur’s bloody political history; he later deleted the post. A loyal P Jayarajan supporter, Akash was earlier shunned by the CPI(M) after a statement by him complaining that the party had not come to the aid of cadres “involved in the murder of the Youth Congress worker”.

Thomas replied on the same platform, saying: “The CPI(M) leadership has to answer whether they have tasked anyone (with an attack on me)… Once born, one has to die. But it should be while standing tall with a straight backbone.

The CPI(M), which faced a rout in the Lok Sabha elections in the latest setback to it, has been trying to put its Kannur past behind. P Jayarajan is a crucial cog in it, accused of using violence against political rivals as former Kannur district secretary of the party, when he enjoyed a huge following.

Over the last decade, the CBI has chargesheeted him in two cases of political murders, one of an Indian Union Muslim League leader and another related to the killing of an RSS district leader.

Festive offer

On Friday, the Opposition moved an adjournment motion notice in the Kerala Assembly demanding that Thomas’s “revelations” against Jayarajan be debated in the House. While this was rejected by Speaker AN Shamseer, the Congress is unlikely to let the CPI(M) off easily, having already got it on the backfoot over several issues.

Kannur happens to be the home district of both Chief Minister and CPI(M) Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan, and its state secretary MV Govindan.

Congress Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan told the media that Thomas’s remarks were proof that the CPI(M) patronized “killer gangs” and “anti-social elements”.

Satheesan asked why the CPI(M) stood by Jayarajan, despite the allegations of his and his son’s links with gold smuggling rackets, and with DYFI leader M Shajir who is accused of “criminal ties”. “Instead, the CPI(M) promoted Shajir as chairman of the Youth Commission. These are the future leaders of the party.”

The current CPI(M) Kannur district secretary, MV Jayarajan, said Thomas’s decision to leave was his own. “The party has already disowned criminal gangs. His complaint in that regard is baseless. He can come back to the party any time. If he is fed up with politics, we have to think that he is not a Communist,” said MV Jayarajan.

P Jayarajan also joined the issue. Without naming Thomas, the veteran wrote on his Facebook page: “The person who did not work for the party in the Lok Sabha elections has claimed that he has been fighting against gangs that looted smuggled gold. He has not engaged in political activity for the last 15 months. Who is he trying to cheat? If he raises baseless allegations targeting somebody in the party, the CPI(M) will not give any support,” said P Jayarajan.

Congress Kannur MP and its state president K Sudhakaran said the doors of the party were open to leaders like Thomas who are facing the threat of “annihilation” from the CPI(M) for speaking against the party. “Akash’s threat had the consent of the CPI(M) leadership. Support from the party is what provides killer groups strength,” Sudhakaran said.