Kochi: CPM central committee member and LDF convener E P Jayarajan, who abstained from taking part in the People’s Resistance March organised by party state secretary M V Govindan, is reported to have attended a function in Kochi with controversial middleman Nandakumar.
In a video that is doing the rounds, EP can be seen honouring Nandakumar’s mother at a temple in Kochi on Sunday, a day before Govindan’s rally got underway.
While speculations are rife as to why EP skipped the statewide march organised by his fellow comrade, the CPM veteran attending a function organised by Nandakumar has paved way for further controversy.
In the video, Jayarajan is accompanied by former Congress leader and now Left supporter K V Thomas in the function.
Wasn’t aware it was Nandakumar’s mother: EP
Justifying his presence at the function, EP told Manorama News: “I went to the temple in Kochi to attend a ceremony. There, I was asked by the temple officials to honour a mother. I was not aware that it was Nandakumar’s mother.”
He further remarked he knew who was behind the news.
Neither EP nor KV was invited to the function: Nandakumar
Nandakumar explained that he did not invite EP or K V Thomas to the function. He also denied reports that the leaders visited his home.
“I did not invite Jayarajan (EP). It was M P Muraleedharan, who works with the CPM, that informed Jayarajan about the ceremony being held at the temple. He attended the ceremony as Muraleedharan told him people from all sections of society were being served food three times a day for eight days and that he could eat lunch from there. It wasn’t a private ceremony. Once Jayarajan came there, he saw my mother. Considering she is a senior citizen, he honoured her. Both Jayarajan and K V Thomas attended a public function. How can an event where 4,000 people were served food become private? Does one need to be invited to attend a festival happening in a place of worship?” asked Nandakumar.
He also said he had invited EP and the chief minister to celebrate his mother’s 80th birthday on January 21. “However, they could not make it at the time,” said Nandakumar.
LDF convener can join rally anytime: Govindan
Talking to reporters regarding the development, Govindan said the news has not yet come to his notice. “The LDF convener can take part in the march anytime. EP has time till March 18 to participate in the event. So, you (mediapersons) need not worry about it. Right now, it is the rally members who need to ensure their presence throughout the march. The leadership need only attend the receptions organised in each district. It is true that I invited EP to be part of the inaugural ceremony. However, he told me his attendance was not required as the chief minister himself was taking part in the ceremony,” said Govindan.
However, as per reports, EP has hinted that will not be taking part in the march at all as he is peeved ever since his party didn’t support him wholeheartedly over the recent row over his family’s stake in an Ayurvedic resort in Kannur.
EP is likely to change his decision only if there is favourable action from the party leadership on the scandal. Neither did he participate in the inaugural function of the rally nor its tour of Kasaragod, Kannur, and Wayanad districts.