CPI(M) leader's speech over political murders sparks row

In a deep embarrassment to CPI(M) in Kerala, a senior functionary said there had been instances of the party eliminating its foes.

The controversial statement was made by CPI(M)'s Idukki district secretary MM Mani at a public meeting at Thodupuzha in Idukki district last night.

Mani's speech came at a time when the party is on the defensive with the arrest of some of its activists in Kozhikode and Kannur districts in connection with the murder of Marxist rebel and RMP leader TP Chandrasekharan.

Ironically, Mani made the statement at a meeting called to explain to the public that CPI(M) had no role in the Chandrasekharan murder case.

In his sarcasm-laced speech, Mani reminded his audience of how some of the rivals of the party in Idukki district had been eliminated in the past.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in Thrissur that the government has taken serious note of Mani's "revelations" and legal steps would be taken on it.

Chandy said CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan should give an explanation on Mani's speech.

State DGP Jacob Punnose directed the Idukki Superintendent of Police to examine Mani's speech and take necessary action in the matter.

As his words hit headlines in the local media, Mani later clarified that he did not say physically eliminating opponents was the party's line but only meant it had sometimes to put up resistance to threats from opponents.

"What I said was the party had often resisted threats from opponents and in some such instances activists from both sides could have been killed", Mani told a news channel.