Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Timely intervention

With its timely intervention and drastic action of suspending the Kerala Chief Minister and senior party member, V.S. Achuthanandan, and the State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, from the Polit Bureau, the CPI (M) has managed to avoid, at least for the time being, a showdown between the two. But how long the "ceasefire" will last remains to be seen.

The tug-of-war between the two powerful rivals reminds me of 1969 when Indira Gandhi and Congress president S. Nijalingappa traded charges of indiscipline, following the defeat of the official Congress candidate in the presidential election.

P.V.N. Nambiar,
Kannur

* * *

The Polit Bureau can pat itself on the back for disciplining two erring leaders but there is no guarantee that the suspension is the end of the matter. The rivalry between the two leaders is well known. Had the party brought about a rapprochement between them instead, it would have served some useful purpose.

J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad

* * *

The suspension of two top leaders from the Polit Bureau is an unusual and unprecedented step. Though the party has done well by striking a balance to save the awkward situation in the State, the move is unlikely to provide an enduring solution to the factional feud in the CPI (M), primarily because the row is not ideological but based on personal ego.

A better course would be to divest both the leaders of their posts in the party and the government. A person who is more open-minded should be entrusted with the party leadership and a leader who is acceptable to the cadres, the party leadership, and other LDF constituents should be made Chief Minister.

K.V. Ravindran,
Payyanur

* * *

The suspension is a clear signal to the two leaders to end factionalism and concentrate on governance. That both Mr. Achuthanandan and Mr. Vijayan have viewed the punishment in the proper perspective is heartening. A fault confessed is half redressed.

K.S. Thampi,
Chennai

* * *

The CPI (M) Polit Bureau's action is commendable. It has proved that no individual is above the party.

P. Suneel,
Bangalore

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