Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM, lead partner in the ruling LDF in Kerala, on Friday rejected demands of the Congress-led UDF and the Opposition BJP for resignation of power minister M.M. Mani for his alleged unsavory remarks against women.
Talking to reporters after the two-day CPM state committee meeting, party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the demand was a 'political slogan' and that the CPM did not view the issue as a matter warranting his removal.
"The party is not ready to accept the political slogan. It is usual for the Opposition to raise such a demand whenever an issue comes up," he said.
On the ongoing stir by activists of 'Pembilai Orumai' in Munnar, demanding the power minister's resignation, Kodiyeri quipped "it is for persons leading the strike to decide the stir".
He said the CPM's action of publicly censuring Mani was a lesson for others in the party. "It was part of party disciplinary action as his recent speeches had brought disgrace to the party," he added.
On chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan defending the minister in the assembly, saying his remarks had been distorted and magnified, he said the reference was only to 'Mani's style of speaking'.
The 73-year-old Mani, representing Udumbanchola in Idukki district, had courted controversy over his remarks against 'Pembilai Orumai' activists and IAS officers involved in the eviction drive from encroached lands in Munnar in Idukki district.
On decisions at the party meet, Kodiyeri said the party felt there were deliberate attempts by the UDF and the BJP to destabilize the LDF government and disintegrate the ruling Left front.
"The need of the hour is to strengthen the LDF. The partners in the Front should not give a chance for the rivals to take advantage of the situation," Kodiyeri added.
To a question, he denied there was any rift between the CPM and second largest partner the CPI and added that issues had cropped up between the two parties over the eviction drive in Munnar.
"The CPM is of the firm opinion that all illegal big encroachments should be evicted and there are no differences on that in the Front," he said.
However, efforts were on from certain quarters to portray that the CPM and the CPI were divided on the matter, he said.
On the controversial removal of 'cross' as part of the eviction drive in Pappthichola in Munnar, Kodiyeri said it should have been handled in a better manner without publicity through television channels.