‘Save Congress': CPM 'embarrassed' after cadre seen installing pro-KC Venugopal flex board

THRISSUR: CPM is facing an embarrassing situation after a party member was captured on camera placing a flex board at Vadanappally in Thrissur in support of AICC general secretary K C Venugopal amid the chief ministerial race in the state.

The CCTV footage shows CPM local committee member Aravassery Mohammed erecting the flex board carrying the text ‘Let KC Lead' along with Venugopal's photograph. The flex board, placed in front of Vadanappally panchayat office, was attributed to ‘Save Congress'.

The board was noticed by residents a couple of days ago, who initially thought it was part of the ongoing race in Congress for the CM's post. However, the board went viral after the CCTV footage surfaced in the public domain. According to reports, Mohammed had even posted the photo of the board on social media platforms.

When the CCTV footage surfaced, Mohammed initially tried to defend it by saying that he was trying to engineer a ‘revolution' in Congress. However, later he said he was not aware that the CCTV there was functional. Congress has alleged that Mohammed has placed the flex board with the connivance of the party leadership and the intention was to create a rift in Congress.

"This will not diminish the glory of UDF's victory. The incident indicates that CPM is not yet ready to learn from the massive drubbing they received from the voters and is sticking to its deceitful tactics. This is not an isolated incident. Mohammed has sent his message in the party group, which means that his action had the consent of the party leadership," said DCC president Joseph Tajet.

Based on Congress's complaint, the police have registered a case against Mohammed for ‘intentionally provoking a riot'.

CPM district secretary K V Abdul Khader, however, sought to distance from the flex board controversy and said action will be taken against Mohammed as he has acted against the party stance. Khader said the selection of a new CM is Congress's internal issue and CPM is not a party to that. "This is a totally wrong action. The party has called for an explanation from Mohammed. Nattika CPM area committee has been asked to take further actions," Khader said.