CPM may allow face-saving exit

Faced with a major embarrassment following the Kerala Governor’s clearance for his prosecution by the CBI, the CPI(M) Kerala State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan could quit his party posts and boldly face what the party dubs a “politically-motivated case”. But Vijayan’s arch rival and State Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan would be a happy man.

In a bid to provide Vijayan a face saving exit, the CPI(M) Politburo is expected to advise him to quit all his party posts. The Politburo will meet on Monday in the wake of the Governor’s sanction.

Party insiders said that the “suo motu” resignation offer from Vijayan would save the party of further trouble, coming as it would in the wake of its defeat in the Lok Sabha poll. According to senior CPI(M) leaders, Vijayan could announce his resignation from the State party secretary post, citing his desire “not to enter the court box as party functionary”.

Meanwhile, the Vijayan camp could as quid pro quo demand the Chief Minister’s resignation for the latter’s failure to lead the party to victory and for “anti-party activities”. But insiders said the demand may be rejected as Achuthanandan enjoyed the support of a majority of Politburo members.

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