Rebel or martyr, downsized VS is trouble for CPI(M)

With the CPI(M) removing him from the Politburo, all options left for Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan to keep himself afloat in party politics and/or persist with the ideological position he is identified with spell trouble ? for either the party or himself.

If Achuthanandan completely accepts the party?s disciplinary action, he will have to be a chastened chief minister in the party. In the coming days, he may have to accept the party?s ?Right-wing deviations? which may involve giving clearance to controversial projects allegedly moved by business houses close to the rival group.

Another option is to come out of the party and continue the fight against the Lavalin scam and the ?digressions? of the party from the strictly Left-wing path. A section of followers and party rebels want Achuthanandan to come out and lead a parallel Left movement, which is in search of a crowd-puller.

Achuthanandan?s immediate reaction ? that he accepts the central committee decision, but at the same time will continue his fight against corruption ? indicates that the rebel within the Marxist veteran is alive.

His next step on the Lavalin case will also decide his place in the party. The party has once again made it clear that the case is politically motivated. If a doubting Achuthanandan wants to fight, he has no option but to come out of the party. Fighting from within the party will mean another round of disciplinary action and even complete ouster. In such a scenario, he could become the Communist martyr who was expelled from the party for having raised his voice against corruption. On the other hand, if he buries the Lavalin fight within the party, Achuthanandan will have to face the allegation that he was a power-hungry leader.

Though the central committee communiqu? said the party ?expects? him to continue as the chief minister, for the party state unit, living with Achuthanandan as the chief minister will not be easy. The estrangement between the party and the chief minister has gone far too deep.

The party?s firm decision to shut the Lavalin case even as it is pending in the court will have a lasting impact in Kerala. As long as Vijayan is not cleared of the charges and continues at the party helm, the Lavalin scam will continue to haunt the Left in all elections to come.