Idukki: CPM's S Rajendran on Wednesday lashed out at former Kerala minister MM Mani for publicly denouncing him as a rebel for failing to "conform to the party's ways".
The three-time MLA who had been reportedly evading party responsibilities and its meetings said, quite ironically, that MM Mani should use whatever platforms that the party has to find a resolution.
He said that this public denouncement was uncharacteristic of the former minister and urged him to "keep a check" on such outbursts.
Amid speculations that he is looking to exit the party, Rajendran reiterated that he is "not going to join any other party ... for the time being", hinting that it was not totally out of the question.
Mani, addressing an area conference of the party at Marayur, the home turf of Rajendran, on Tuesday, urged the MLA to fall in line or face expulsion from the party.
"He was born into a family of plantation workers. The party made him MLA three times and district panchayat president too. He will be getting a lifelong pension. What more should the party do?" Mani had said.
Rajendran has been facing an internal party inquiry for his lack of cooperation in the campaigning for the assembly election, especially in the Devikulam Constituency.
Rajendran, who won from the constituency in 2006, 2011 and 2016 had been overlooked in the 2021 polls.
CPM's A Raja had contested from the seat and won, but the margin of victory was under 8,000 votes that had led to fingers being pointed at Rajendran's lack of involvement.
A commission is probing the issue.
Mani was vocal about the matter during his speech. "Even if the commission report gives him a clean chit, it is unacceptable to stay away from party conferences. He had clear political views but he has strayed from it," Mani had said.
