In a robust reiteration of his ?anti-party stand? on the SNC Lavalin case, chief minister and CPI (M) politburo member VS Achuthanandan on Wednesday said there was nothing surprising in the governor?s decision to sanction the prosecution of party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.
The lone dissenting voice in the party pointed to the discretionary power of the governor in sanctioning prosecution when the entire party is crying foul over R S Gavai?s action.
His open revolt against the party central leadership, which has said the governor?s decision was unfortunate, has deepened the crisis in the party. Though Achuthanandan has defied the party state leadership on several occasions, this is the first time the veteran has challenged the Politburo.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Achuthanandan said, ?You will realise later whether my opinion, or that of the governor or that of the party would hold water?, he said.
?Governors in the country have discretionary power. In many occasions in the past, they have applied it. Some governors had independently scrutinised situations similar to this one (in Kerala) and had used their discretionary authority. And the Supreme Court had upheld such decisions?, he said.
Achuthanandan?s tacit support to the sanction of Vijayan?s prosecution has sent the Kerala CPI(M) politics into a tailspin. On Tuesday, Politburo member and state home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishan had found several lapses on the part of the governor, who directly handed over the sanction report to the CBI. Other CPI (M) ministers too had pulled up the governor, who, according to them, had become a Congress hit man.
Achuthanandan?s stand has plunged the Cabinet into a crisis. The impression that the chief minister and his Cabinet are pulling in different directions has gained ground.
According to party sources, four out of eleven CPI (M) ministers had communicated their displeasure with the party leadership over the one-upmanship of the chief minister. This is also seen as a tactic to build up pressure on the central leadership to take disciplinary action against Achuthanandan.
Sources said that Achuthanandan?s rebellion is an indication that he is gearing up for a major showdown in the Politburo meeting, scheduled next week.