CPI(M) justifies publicising resolution against veteran leader VS Achutanandan

ALAPPUZHA: The CPI(M) in Kerala has justified its decision to brief the media on a resolution adopted by the state secretariat even as it took a highly critical view of party stalwart V S Achutanandan's attack on the functioning of state leadership.

Briefing reporters on the sidelines of the party's state conference here last evening, CPI(M) politbureau member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said it was to avoid "confusion" among party cadres that the resolution was publicised through the media by state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

"It is the responsibility of the party to clear the confusion regarding the note given by Achuthanandan to the party. It was this responsibility that the party secretariat fulfilled. There is nothing unusual about it", he said.

It was for the politbureau, party's highest policy-making body, and the Central Committee to examine the matter and take a call on it, he said.

The resolution adopted on the eve of the meet by the state secretariat, which was disclosed by state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan at a press meet, had taken strong exception to Achuthanandan's strongly worded letter to the central leadership citing serious lapses on the part of the state unit's functioning.

The resolution had accused Achuthanandan of stooping to the level of a "factionalist" and held that his latest stance only betrayed "anti-party mindset."

Achuthanandan had reacted sharply to the resolution, holding it was for the politbureau to respond to the charges he levelled against the state leadership.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat had, however, avoided mention of the the flare-up in the feud between the party's state leadership and veteran leader V S Achuthanandan during his inaugural address at the opening session of the meet yesterday.