‘Rank and file should correct the leadership’: Expelled Kerala CPM leader’s book released

Expelled CPM leader V Kunhikrishnan‘s book, titled Nethruthwathe Anikal Thiruthanam (The Rank and File Should Correct the Leadership), was released at a function held at Gandhi Park in Payyannur on Wednesday.

Joseph C Mathew, IT advisor of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, released the book by handing a copy of the book to fellow Left traveler late MN Vijayan’s son and writer VS Anil Kumar.

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A large crowd turned up at the event, despite opposition from the CPM. Many people reached the stage and shook hands with V Kunhikrishnan and congratulated him. The book launch ceremony was held amid chants of “Inquilab Zindabad” raised by the audience.

In his welcome speech, Kunhikrishnan said there was a campaign through the new media that the book launch ceremony had been postponed. “I am being personally abused. Obscene messages that cannot be said in front of the audience have continuously come through WhatsApp. I am personally getting into things that are a form of glory killing and an attempt to implement Goebbelsian tactics in the new era as well,” he said.

Joseph C Mathew, in his speech after the launch of the book, said that Kunhikrishnan is also saying things similar to what VS Achuthanandan said.

Achuthanandan was expelled from the Politburo for standing with the truth. He asked when communism and truth became two separate things.

The book, which contains 16 chapters and spans 96 pages, serves as an exposé on alleged corruption, mismanagement of party funds, and the rise of “crony capitalism” by the local CPM leadership.

Kunhikrishnan, in his book reportedly argues that the party has become “poll-oriented” and that leaders are abusing the principle of democratic centralism to protect those involved in financial wrongdoing. The book claims that if the party is to improve, the leadership must be corrected by the rank and file.

Earlier on January 30, the Kerala High Court ordered police protection for the function of the release of the book.

A single bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed the District Police Chief, Kannur and the SHO, Payyanur to ensure that there is adequate protection to the life of the expelled CPM leader ahead of the release of his book.

The CPM on January 26 expelled the party’s Kannur district committee member Kunhikrishnan from the party for making serious allegations against Payyannur MLA TI Madhusoodanan and others.