Will act if murder link proved: CPI-M

NEW DELHI: The CPI-M Monday denied its involvement in the murder of a former party leader in Kerala but vowed to take "strong action" if anyone within its ranks was founded involved.


The CPI-M said after a central committee meeting here that the Kerala Police was trying to frame the Communist Party of India-Marxist in the May 4 killing of T.P. Chandrasekharan.


"The police investigation is sought to be influenced by the government and the ruling party. The police is trying to implicate leaders of the party in Kozhikode and Kannur districts," it said in a statement.


"The party has condemned the brutal killing and denied any involvement in the incident. (It) has strongly asserted that it does not believe in the elimination of political opponents.


"The party has also stated that on enquiry, if it is found that there is involvement of any party member at any level, strong action will be taken."



CPI (M) has also asked senior leader V S Achuthanandan and others not to air their views in public on the subject.


The two-day meeting of the party Central Committee, which ended here Sunday, discussed the prevailing political situation in Kerala and alleged there has been a concerted campaign blaming CPI (M) for the murder of rebel leader TP Chandrasekharan.


"The Central Committee has asked the state committee to discuss the issues arisen in the past one month. Polit Bureau members will also attend the meeting. The Polit Bureau will then come to some conclusion.


"Polit Bureau has also asked Achuthanandan and other leaders not to make any public statement or air their views In the matter," CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here.


Achuthanandan's remarks on the killing of Chandrasekharan, who had left CPI(M) following differences, objecting to Kerala CPI(M) Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan calling the victim a renegade, had put CPI(M) in a fix. He had also written to Karat seeking a change of leadership in the party's Kerala unit.


Asked whether the party central leadership is afraid of taking disciplinary action against a popular leader like Achuthanandan, Karat said "individuals are not supreme. I am not the supreme leader of the party as you may see in other parties.


"...We don't have a high command. There are procedures and in this case, the state committee is the forum to discuss the matter. They will discuss the matter," he said.


In a statement, the party alleged there has been a concerted campaign blaming CPI (M) unleashed by Congress and the UDF government in the state.