Resentment is brewing among senior CPM functionaries in Thiruvananthapuram district over the party state leadership's decision to allow MLA V Joy to continue as district secretary. This decision has sparked discontent, with V Sivankutty, a senior functionary, skipping the district secretariat meeting, officially citing health issues. However, he later denied reports that his absence was due to displeasure over Joy's return.
State leadership's recommendation
The CPM state leadership, including opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and state secretary M V Govindan, recommended Joy as the district secretary, particularly in light of simmering discord within the party in Thiruvananthapuram. State committee members from the district were in favor of Joy continuing in the role.
Interim appointment and reactions
Following Joy's candidacy in the Varkala assembly seat, CPM MP A A Rahim was appointed as interim district secretary in the state capital. District committee members generally welcomed Joy's return, despite reports that Sivankutty was interested in the post and expected a decent organizational accommodation after his defeat in Nemom in the assembly elections.
Another senior functionary and former minister Kadakampally Surendran was reportedly unhappy with the decision to reinstate Joy as district secretary. Typically, CPM functionaries are removed from the district secretary post if they are elected to the assembly or Parliament.
