Kerala: CPI-M to Dismiss Party Members Who Drink, CPI Allows Private Consumption
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Synopsis
The CPI-M and CPI in Kerala have established different rules regarding alcohol consumption among their members. While the CPI-M Secretary insists on total abstinence, the CPI allows drinking privately. Tensions between the parties have surfaced in the past, but they continue to collaborate in governance under Pinarayi Vijayan's leadership.
Key Takeaways
- CPI-M strictly prohibits drinking among its members.
- CPI allows private alcohol consumption but not in public.
- Tensions between CPI-M and CPI have occurred but are generally resolved.
- CPI previously aligned with Congress, producing notable leaders.
- Pinarayi Vijayan has successfully retained power in Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 3 (NationPress) The two major Communist parties in Kerala, the dominant CPI-M and the CPI, which serves as the second largest ally in the ruling Left government led by Pinarayi Vijayan, have distinct regulations concerning alcohol consumption.
On Monday, M. V. Govindan, the State CPI-M Secretary, a senior legislator, and a former Excise Minister, clearly articulated the party's position regarding alcohol use among its members.
"We are a party with a clear ideology that our comrades should abstain from smoking and drinking. If you (media) identify any of our comrades consuming alcohol, they will be expelled from the party," stated Govindan during a press interaction ahead of the forthcoming state party conference scheduled for later this week, where he is poised for another term.
In contrast, earlier this year, State CPI Secretary Binoy Viswam sparked controversy by asserting that while party members are permitted to drink, they must refrain from consuming alcohol in public settings.
He emphasized that no member should be found intoxicated in public, although drinking at home is acceptable.
Interestingly, the CPI split in 1964, leading to the formation of CPI-M, which subsequently became the dominant force among Communists, ruling West Bengal for over three decades and achieving similar success in Tripura. However, both states have since seen a decline in their Communist influence, leaving Kerala as their stronghold, where Pinarayi Vijayan made history by retaining power in the 2021 Assembly elections.
Over the past nine years, there have been occasional tensions between the CPI-M and CPI, with the CPI expressing dissent during the first Vijayan government when all four of its ministers boycotted a weekly Cabinet meeting due to disagreements with Vijayan. Nonetheless, this issue was swiftly resolved.
It is important to note that while the CPI currently aligns with the Left, it has previously partnered with the Congress, leading to the emergence of notable leaders such as C. Achutha Menon and P.K. Vasudevan Nair as Chief Ministers with the backing of the Congress.
