CPI defends move by its ministers to skip Cabinet meet

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI, the second largest partner in the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala, on Thursday said an "extraordinary situation" forced the party to take the "unusual" step of skipping the cabinet meeting over the Thomas Chandy resignation issue.

CPI ministers E Chandrasekharan, V S Sunil Kumar, K Raju and P Thilothaman did not attend the cabinet meeting yesterday as per a party directive asking them "not to attend the cabinet meet if Chandy took part."

Chandy, who was facing encroachment charges, resigned yesterday after the cabinet meeting.

"Extraordinary situation forced the party to take such an unusual step with good knowledge that it was an unprecedented action," CPI state secretary Kannam Rajendran said in an editorial in the party organ 'Janayugam' daily, a day after chief minister Vijayan described the partner's move as "unprecedented".

Chandy, accused of land encroachment for his luxury resort, resigned from the Cabinet yesterday.

The land encroachment allegations brought to the fore differences in the ruling LDF with CPI asking its four ministers to stay away from a Cabinet meeting held earlier, if Chandy attended it.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader and state law minister A K Balan on Thursday said the CPI ministers' action was not the right step. "They kept away from a Cabinet meet that took very important decisions," Balan said.

"Whatever be the reason, it was not correct," Balan said, reacting to the CPI's stand.

Chandy, NCP nominee in the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan, attended the cabinet meet and later in the day tendered his resignation.