A marriage according to the CPI-M rule book

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was a marriage which was devoid of any pomp or show.  Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan went according to the party rule book by having a simple ceremony for his daughter's marriage held here on Saturday.

The list of invitees included Kerala Governor R.L. Bhatia, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and a virtual who's who of people from different spheres of life.

Vijayan's only daughter, Veena, exchanged garlands with Suneesh and the marriage ceremony was over in a few minutes.

There was no feast, instead a small cup of payasam and a glass of tea was served to all those present.

Vijayan personally oversaw all the arrangements. He insisted that there should be no diversion of traffic that would affect the common man.

Last month the party came under fire when traffic was stopped for the reception of Kerala Home Minister and senior CPI-M member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son's marriage that was held here.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing lashed out at the lavish marriage and also alleged that a tainted real estate personality made all the arrangements for the wedding.

In the party Congress at Coimbatore, the CPI-M had asked its cadres to see that marriages ceremonies are held in a simple manner.