CPM cautions Vijayaraghavan against reckless speeches

Thiruvananthapuram:  Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) has cautioned LDF convenor A Vijayaraghavan not to slip into making speeches playing to the gallery that would give a weapon to political opponents during election campaigns.  

The word of caution to Vijayaraghavan from CPM's state secretariat that met here on Wednesday  came in the light of his recent  derogatory remarks viewed as sexist against UDF's Alathur candidate Ramya Haridas.  

Members of the secretariat were generally critical of his remarks,  and opined that it lacked the vigilance required especially during election time.   The secretariat also decided to ask all leaders to use words with care. 

However,  Vijayararghavan would continue to stick to his position made public earlier and the party is of the view that giving further explanation over and above that would play into the hands of UDF,  dimming party's image further.

The state secretariat also decided to include Sitaram Yechuri also as a speaker, who was not originally in the speakers' list,  for campaigns in Wayanad.   Yechuri is expected to arrive in Wayanad on 18 April.  All this is part of the party's intensified campaign letting no stone unturned in the exercise and projecting anti-Rahul stances on national issues.

Yechuri was generally considered to be one with a soft corner for Rahul and  so he was not listed among the campaigning leaders.  This was raised as a criticism by the BJP camp and the latest inclusion is also aimed at countering that reading.

Meanwhile, Tirur DySP Biju Bhaskar who was deputed to enquire into the allegation regarding LDF convenor Vijayaraghavan's controversial remarks,  is expected to submit his report within two days.  Bhaskar was given charge of the enquiry on complaints by Ramya Haridas and  Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.  As part of the investigation,   the probe team took the statement of Ramya Haridas at Palakkad.