Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticises P.P. Divya at CPI(M) Kannur district conference

Kerala CM criticizes CPI(M) member for lack of vigilance in ADM's death, defends party's actions at district conference.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] member and former Kannur district president P.P. Divya for her “lack of vigilance” in connection with the death of Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) K. Naveen Babu.

Speaking at the CPI(M) district conference, Mr. Vijayan said Ms. Divya “failed to exercise the necessary caution while holding a responsible position.” He also defended the action taken by the party’s Pathanamthitta district unit regarding the issue, asserting that there was “nothing wrong in their approach.”

Responding to criticism that the party acted under media pressure, Mr. Vijayan clarified that all decisions were made after through internal discussion at various levels. He also acknowledged the concerns raised in multiple party meetings about the increasing disconnect between leader and the public, urging leaders to “address this gap with maturity.”

The working report reportedly presented at the conference criticised Ms. Divya’s controversial remarks at ADM Naveen Babu’s farewell meeting, with party representatives expressing mixed opinions, some supporting her and others denouncing her conduct as “immature.” Critics accused her of attempting to establish herself as a power centre and some argued that the party’s disciplinary action against her created the impression that it had yielded to a “media trial.”

Meanwhile, CPI(M) district conference concludes on Monday (February 3, 2024), with the Chief Minister set to inaugurate the final session at Taliparamba.