EC, Kerala in-fighting dominate CPI(M) meet

Election Commission's toughening stance in West Bengal and internal strife in the party's Kerala dominated the CPI(M) Politburo meeting today.

The Politburo members were said to be upset about the manner in which the EC had "singled out" the Left Front government in West Bengal, finding fault with electoral rolls and with the local administration. They were especially peeved with its decision to go for five-phase poll in the state.

A major part of today's meeting was learnt to be devoted to sorting out differences among leaders in the Kerala unit, which is split between VS Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan over supremacy and Chief Ministership.

Politburo members were of the view that only one of them should contest the election to avoid any fallout of the rivalry on party cadres during election. The CPI(M) could, therefore, decide to project one of them as the Chief Ministerial candidate to avoid any more factional fight in the run up to the election.

Although no final decision was taken, Achuthanandan is believed to be the front-runner in the race. Pinarayi Vijayan was recently enmeshed in a controversy over allegations of corruption concerning the Left Front's last stint in power.

Kerala CPI(M) state secretary had also been in favour of an alliance with of K Karunakaran's DIC(K). This was, however, shot down by the top leadership of the party.

In Assam, the CPI(M) leadership was in favour of going with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) led by Brindabon Goswamy.

Prafulla Kumar Mohanta of the AGP(Progressive) was said to have made overtures to the CPI(M) for a pre-poll tie up, the Left party was not keen on it in it because of Mohanta's perceived interest in the BJP as well.