CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury has observed that there was no need for Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, who has been suspended from the politburo, to resign from the Chief Minister’s post.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mr Yechury felt that there was no connection between the chief ministership and the party post. “Hence, he will continue to be the Chief Minister,” he added.
He denied the allegation that there was groupism within the CPM. Moreover, no efforts were being made to divide the party by any leader. “Whatever small differences are there, will be sorted out,” he replied to a query.
Mr Yechury made it clear that the politburo meeting scheduled for June 24 would decide on the nature of action to be initiated against both Mr Achuthanandan as well as Mr Pinarayi Vijayan for violating the party discipline.
On fielding of a candidate for the President’s post, Mr Yechury said that all parties were seriously pondering over the issue. “The CPM would discuss the issue at its politburo meeting. The party will back a secular leader, who could maintain an equilibrium between legislature, judiciary and executive,” he added.
Mr Yechury blamed a section of the political leadership in West Bengal for the land disputes at Nandigram and Singur. He accused the media of not portraying the “real picture”. Earlier, speaking after the release of a Kannada weekly Janashakti, Mr Yechury reiterated that the CPM would not deviate from its avowed policy on foreign investment, new economic policy etc.
Noted Literatteur U R Ananthamurthy, MLA Sriramareddy and CPM State General Secretary G N Nagaraj were present.

‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED’
The entire Nandigram issue is politically motivated and is an attempt by the Trinamool Congress and the Maoist forces to forge a new political alignment in West Bengal, said Mr Seetharam Yechury.
Speaking at a programme at the SCM house on Sunday, Mr Yechury said that the opposition forces are only trying to stall the industrial process in West Bengal. He, however, added that the government would not allow their plans to be successful. He said that the main intention of the government’s industrial process was to create more employment. Speaking on the Special Economic Zones in West Bengal, he said that a wrong impression was being created stating that it was the state government which was behind it. “In fact it is an idea which has been mooted by the centre. He also said that the state had not forcibly acquired any land and also added that the compensation paid was the best so far in the country. Mr Yechury also said that the government had suggested certain amendments to the SEZ policy, which he felt should be made more pro-people.