In the end, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat had his way. Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan was today ?removed? from the Politburo on charges of ?indiscipline? and ?violating? organisational principles while state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, the other actor in the unending faction fight in the party?s southern bastion, escaped unscathed.
But barely an hour after the party announced his demotion, Achuthanandan gave strong signals that he is down but not out. The veteran Marxist, who skipped day two of the central committee meeting having sensed the way the discussions were heading, said his stand on the SNC Lavlin graft case remains unchanged despite the party concluding that Vijayan ?was not involved in any corrupt practice whatsoever?.
Although Achuthanandan said ?I accept the decision of the central committee,? he maintained silence on speculation that he would resign in protest, worrying a section of the leadership. Asked whether there is any change in his stand on the SNC Lavlin case, he said ?Nothing like that. There is no change.? This is the first time that the CPI(M) is removing a chief minister from the Politburo.
With the state unit of the party seeking his exit, Karat had proposed Achuthanandan?s removal from the chief minister?s post in the Politburo. But in the face of stiff opposition from several members, it was worked out that he will be allowed to continue as CM but removed from the Politburo.
While the party did away with the customary press conference addressed by the general secretary at the end of the central committee meeting, a statement said ?Achuthanandan is the senior most leader who has made a big contribution to the party in Kerala. The central committee expected VS to fulfill his responsibilities as the chief minister and as a leader of the party.?
Sources said the decision to let off Vijayan without any action was questioned by some members at the central committee but the majority went along with the Politburo?s views.
The central committee?s conclusion, that there was no evidence to prove that Vijayan derived any pecuniary benefit by entering into the contract with Canadian firm SNC Lavlin for renovation and modernisation of three hydroelectric projects in Kerala during his stint as electricity minister, is a strong snub to VS, who has been arguing that he was involved in corruption.
?The central committee is of the view that Pinarayi Vijayan, secretary of the Kerala State Committee and the electricity minister in the then LDF government between 1996-98 was not involved in any corrupt practice whatsoever. The central committee reiterated that the party will fight the case politically and legally,? the statement said.