CPM removes Karnataka Secy for 'serious misconduct'

The CPI(M) has removed G V Sreerama Reddy from the post of Karnataka Secretary and Central Committee member following charges of "serious misconduct".

In a statement on Thursday, the CPI(M) said the decision was taken at a meeting of the party's central committee meeting held in Delhi on December 15 and 16.

The "meeting decided to remove G V Sreerama Reddy, member of the Central Committee and Secretary of the Karnataka State Committee of the Party from all elected positions in the Party on charges of serious misconduct," it said.

U Basavaraj was "unanimously" chosen as the Secretary of Karnataka at a meeting of the State Committee held in Bengaluru on December 18, which was attended by General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and four Polit Bureau members.

In the state committee meeting, sources said a large number of members were opposed to the move but accepted it as it came from the Central Committee. The action against Reddy came after a panel headed by Polit Bureau member S Ramachandran Pillai submitted a report against him for the consideration of the Central Committee.

Sources said Reddy, who is a CPI(M) member for about 50 years, has been demoted to work in Chikkabellapura district committee and has been accused of sexual misconduct. Reddy has denied the allegations while his supporters attribute the action against him to his support for Yechury in the debate on the party's relationship with Congress in the fight against BJP.

In Karnataka Assembly elections, Reddy, a former MLA, had garnered 54,000 votes and stood second in Bagepally constituency. Reddy's supporters claimed that the complainant was forced to file the complaint.