Thiruvananthapuram: After being pulled up by the party state leadership, the Thiruvananthapuram CPM district leadership admitted that the conduct of "Thiruvathirakali" at the venue of the district conference on the same day when the body of slain SFI leader Dheeraj Rajendran was taken for cremation was a mistake.
Education Minister and party state committee member V Sivankutty and party district secretary Anavoor Nagappan acknowledged the mistake publicly.
There was a strong feeling in the party that it was quite unfortunate that the district leadership did not postpone the performance of "Thiruvathirakali". They said the district leadership could have postponed the programme, taking into account Dheeraj's martyrdom and the increasing Omicron situation.
It is also said that though there were suggestions from some quarters that the programme should be postponed, it was turned down by the district leadership.
The leadership is now examining whether the suggestion for postponing the programme was deliberately ignored or not taken seriously.
The issue is likely to be dominated at the discussions at the party district conference and the elections to the district committee to be held thereafter.
The CPM state leaders are of the view that "Thiruvathira" fiasco had taken away the opportunity to exploit the large-scale resentment of people against the state Congress unit with regard to the killing of Dheeraj. The state leaders are also peeved at the staging of "Thiruvathira" song, euologising Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The CPM and the chief minister are widely being spoofed at the social media for "Thiruvathira" performance and "Thiruvathira" song.
The crooning of the song beginning with "Innu Keralam Bharichidum Pinaryi Vijayannena Sakhavinu Nooru Kodi Abhivadyangal, Inni Party Lokamengum Shobhichidum Karana Bhoothan" at a party programme itself was cited as a classic example of individual worship.
Pinarayi had taken a strong stand in the past against individual worship, especially in the case of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and Kannur strongman P Jayarajan.
Before criticising "Thiruavathirakali" episode, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan spoke to politburo member MA Baby, who was the chief guest at the event, and Anavoor Nagappan.
The district leadership gave the explanation that they were not in a position to cancel the programme since about 500 women came in the attire of Thiruvathirakali with fully prepared to stage the event.
Baby, who came to inaugurate the national seminar on education held as part of the conference, was invited to watch the "Thiruvathirakali" performance.
