Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (file)
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised former Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya for her “lack of vigilance” in connection with the death of Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) K. Naveen Babu.
Speaking at the CPI(M) district conference, Mr. Vijayan said Ms. Divya “failed to exercise the necessary caution while holding a responsible position.” He also defended the action taken by the party’s Pathanamthitta district unit regarding the issue, saying that there was “nothing wrong in their approach.”
Responding to criticism that the party acted under media pressure, Mr. Vijayan clarified that all decisions were made after through internal discussions at various levels.
He also acknowledged the concerns raised in multiple party meetings about the “increasing disconnect” between leaders and the public, urging leaders to “address this gap with maturity.”
The working report reportedly presented at the conference criticised Ms. Divya’s controversial remarks at ADM Naveen Babu’s farewell meeting, with party representatives expressing mixed opinions, some supporting her and others denouncing her conduct as “immature.” Critics accused her of attempting to establish herself as a power centre and some argued that the party’s disciplinary action against her created the impression that it had yielded to a “media trial.”
The CPI(M) district conference concludes on Monday (February 3, 2024), with the Chief Minister set to address the final session at Taliparamba.
Published – February 03, 2025 11:30 am IST