The Communist Party of India (CPI) has removed former Idukki district secretary K K Sivaraman from all elected party positions following his public criticism and withdrawal from political activities. District secretary K Salimkumar confirmed the action, citing Sivaraman's repeated public statements against the party as a violation of organizational discipline.
Reasons for removal
Sivaraman was removed from both the district executive committee and the district council. The decision came after he walked out of a district executive meeting and publicly announced he was withdrawing from politics. His criticism of the party's defeat in the Peermade assembly constituency, where Salimkumar himself contested, was a key factor. Sivaraman had openly stated that candidate selection was flawed and that candidates from outside the constituency must have wider public acceptance.
Party's assessment
The district council assessed that Sivaraman's public remarks put the party on the defensive. The leadership accused him of repeatedly violating organizational discipline and continuously criticizing party leaders. Sivaraman, who had been estranged from the district leadership for some time, had earlier walked out of the executive committee after the party's defeat in local body elections and sharply criticized the leadership and district secretary.
The party had previously sought an explanation from him, and while his reply was under examination, he made further public comments about the assembly election defeat.
Sivaraman's background and future
Sivaraman served as CPI district secretary for 16 years and was a prominent party face in Idukki for decades. The district council noted that his party membership could still be renewed, as the membership scrutiny process is ongoing.
The district council meeting was presided over by member P P Joy, with Salimkumar presenting the report. State executive member T J Anjalose, along with V R Sasi, M K Priyan, Jose Philip, C U Joy, Jaya Madhu, V K Dhanapal, and T Ganesan, attended the meeting.
