T’puram: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM state secretary M V Govindan faced sharp criticism at the party’s extended Kollam district committee meeting, where delegates questioned the leadership’s attempts to shield them from criticism, sources said.Some members accused Vijayan of using the party to protect himself and his daughter Veena Vijayan, who faces allegations of receiving substantial payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) without providing corresponding services. They questioned the party’s failure to seek explanations from Vijayan and his daughter over the allegations.Govindan faced criticism for attempting to discourage discussion of allegations against Vijayan and Mohammed Riyas in his inaugural address. Several members objected to what they described as unconditional support for the two leaders, arguing that nobody had the right to prevent discussion of important issues at a meeting convened to identify corrective measures to improve the party’s functioning.Some delegates held Vijayan and Govindan primarily responsible for the party’s electoral setback in Kannur district. They said the party leadership had failed to correct LDF govt’s shortcomings, contributing to its electoral defeat.CPM Kollam district secretary S Sudevan also faced criticism as some members blamed him for the poor performance of party candidates in the elections. Delegates called for measures to strengthen the party’s grassroots organisation and remove inactive members and those failing to discharge their organisational responsibilities.
