On the first day of the special politburo meeting called to resolve the faction feud in the CPM’s Kerala unit, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan came under attack for his election-time public utterances on the SNC Lavalin scam case, in which his bete noire and state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is an accused.

It is learnt that at least three politburo members, including senior- most member M K Pandhe, said the Chief Minister’s statements in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, directly and indirectly conveying his opposition to the party line that the Lavalin case was politically motivated, hurt the CPM.

On several occasions, Achuthanandan had maintained that he would continue his fight against corruption and refused to publicly endorse the party stand that the case was politically motivated. The criticism in the politburo on Saturday is seen as an indication that the Chief Minister may have to face action for not toeing the party line.

Already, the CPM Central Committee had concluded that some of Achuthanandan’s statements in the poll run-up had an “adverse effect” and helped the Opposition after some members from Kerala, including ministers Thomas Issac and M A Baby, complained against the CM and sought his removal. The point was also raised by Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is the state Home Minister, at Saturday’s meeting. It is learnt that Vijayan did not demand the removal of Achuthanandan from Chief Ministership but sought action against him on account of indiscipline.

Some members in the politburo felt that the Lavalin case was being used by the political opponents to target the party and it was getting difficult to defend. Some in private admitted that there should a course correction and Vijayan should step down on his own till he is cleared of the charges. However, it is not known if they gave this view at the politburo meeting. The meeting will continue on Sunday and senior leaders said some tough decision can be expected.

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