Wadakkanchery: The CPM has learnt no lesson from the 'Thiruvathira' fiasco during its district conference in Thiruvananthapuram. Another such dance event, in which 150 women took part, was staged as part of the promotional activities of the Thrissur district conference scheduled from January 21.
Organised by CPM’s Thekkumkara West Local Committee at Oorakkode Centre Ground on Friday, the dance programme flouted all COVID-19 restrictions currently in force. However, local leaders such as panchayat president T V Sunil Kumar and party local secretary T Parameswaran, under whose instructions the event was held, claimed that a public meeting was cancelled to avoid crowding at the venue. "Thiruvathira could not be cancelled as the event was planned well in advance," they said.
Even then, apart from the 150 women who performed the traditional dance form of Kerala, over 100 spectators had gathered on the ground.
No change in Tvm conference
Meanwhile, the CPM announced that there was no change in its programmes for the ongoing district conference in Thiruvananthapuram even after a ban imposed by the Collector on public gatherings.
Incidentally, the District Collector has ordered a ban on all public functions even when there are less than 50 participants and postponement of scheduled meetings to a later date. Violating these instructions, the CPM's delegates meet is being conducted behind closed doors with 250 participants.
Several delegates, including the party’s district committee member and Member of the Legislative Assembly I B Satheesh, have already tested positive for COVID-19. Pointing out that the venue of the CPM district meeting has become a COVID-19 cluster, vice-president of the District Congress Committee M Muneer urged the Collector to cordon off the area.
