Lavalin: CPI backs Achuthanandan

This is quite a shift in the stance as earlier the CPI ministers had agreed to accept the advocate generals legal advice that the Lavalin case was politically motivated.

Party sources said this could be seen as an attempt of the leadership to come out of the CPI(M) shadow. During the CPI executive meeting,the leadership had faced severe criticism for playing second fiddle to the CPI(M). The rout of the CPI in all four seats it had contested in Kerala too had forced the leadership to regain its assertive nature within the LDF,sources said.

Bhargavan said the CPI was not of the opinion that the Chief Minister should step down. The demand would give a respite for Achuthanandan,whose party secretariat had already petitioned the Politburo,demanding his ouster.

Party sources said apart from the Lavalin issue,the CPI shared common views with Achuthanandan on the PDP alliance and the re-entry of the JD(S). Like the CPI,Achuthanandan too wanted Veerendrakumar faction of the JD(S) back in the LDF.