Capital punishment row exposes rift between Achuthanandan and CPI(M), party denies allegations

Thiruvananthapuram: Revelations by two former CPM legislators that some young party leaders had once said in party meetings that 'capital punishment' should be given to former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan has once again brought the serious differences that Achuthanandan had with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to the limelight

The revelations were made after Achuathanandan's passing at the age of 101 last Monday.

CPM former MLA and former state committee member Pirappancode Murali specifically stated that party state committee member and former MLA M Swaraj said in the party state congress in 2012 that Achuthanandan should be given 'capital punishment' for anti-party stands.

Even as CPM state secretary M V Govindan denied it, Murali stuck to his stand. Murali, who was a strong supporter of Achuthanandan was expelled from the party earlier accusing him of indulging in anti-party activities. Murali had raised this allegation earlier also and Swaraj had denied it.

Further fueling the row, former CPM MLA and MP Suresh Kurup said in an article on Achuthanandan on Sunday that a young girl in the party said in the party congress at Alappuzha that Achuthanandan should be given 'capital punishment'. Achuthanandan was deeply pained by it and left the venue.

CPM young woman leader Chintha Jerome, who was among those who attended the meeting, came out with a denial. She said that no one made such remarks against Achuthanandan at the meeting.

The ongoing row has again triggered serious discussion on the faction feud in the CPM targeting Achuthanandan by the faction led by Pinarayi Vijayan. The huge turn out of the people at the funeral of Achuthanandan is being cited by his supporters as the backing for the right political stands taken by Achuthanandan.