| Although the Politburo earlier this year suspended the warring leaders, Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and party chief Pinarayi Vijayan, for "public expression of differences," this has not helped matters. |
| Karat will attend the crucial state committee meeting tomorrow, in itself a departure from convention. Another Politburo veteran, SR Pillai, is already in Thiruvananthapuram as an observer. |
| Karat will submit a report to the Politburo in New Delhi next week. After this, the Central Committee will discuss the situation towards the end of September. There are chances that some state leaders close to Vijayan may face disciplinary action, party sources say. |
| The latest round of slugfest was triggered by CPI(M)-sponsored Kairali TV channel, which telecast controversial businessman Faris Aboobacker alleging in an interview that Achuthanandan had been summoning industrialists. Aboobacker did not say it was for funds. |
| Immediately, explanations were sought from the state unit. In reply, Vijayan praised the channel for its "fight against communalism and imperialism." |
| The party is in a fix as both the leaders are important for its future in the state. "No effective solution can be found unless they realise on their own that the fight is futile. There is a need for a common approach," a Central Committee member said. |
| While Vijayan holds the key to the organisation, the chief minister's recent drive to demolish illegal constructions in Munnar has gained him popularity. Known as 'Mr Clean', Achuthanandan has labelled his drive a war on corruption. |
| This has made things even more difficult for the CPI(M) as any step to stop Achuthanandan may create an impression that the party is trying to gag those raising their voice against corruption. |
| How Karat sets this right remains to be seen. |
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