CPI-M to Dismiss Party Members Caught Drinking in Public; CPI Permits Private Drinking
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Synopsis
In Kerala, the CPI-M has declared that any member caught drinking in public will face expulsion, while the CPI allows private drinking. The two parties have differing stances on alcohol consumption as they prepare for an upcoming state conference.
Key Takeaways
- CPI-M enforces strict rules against public drinking.
- CPI allows private drinking at home.
- History of tension between the two parties.
- Pinarayi Vijayan's leadership remains strong in Kerala.
- Both parties have a complicated past with alliances.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 3 (NationPress) The two principal Communist parties in Kerala, with the CPI-M being the dominant party and the CPI as its significant ally in the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government, have established distinct regulations regarding alcohol consumption.
On Monday, M. V. Govindan, the State CPI-M Secretary, a prominent legislator and former Excise Minister, was unequivocal about the party's position on drinking.
"We are a party with a clear ideology that our comrades should refrain from smoking or drinking. If you (media) present evidence of any comrade consuming alcohol, he will be expelled from the party," Govindan stated during a press interaction ahead of the upcoming state party conference later this week, where he is expected to secure another term.
In contrast, State CPI Secretary Binoy Viswam stirred controversy earlier this year by asserting that members of his party are allowed to drink, provided they do not do so in public.
He emphasized that no party member should appear inebriated in public, although they are permitted to drink privately at home.
Notably, the CPI split from the CPI-M in 1964, with the latter becoming the dominant force among Communists, notably governing West Bengal for over three decades and achieving similar success in Tripura. However, both states have seen a decline in CPI-M influence, leaving Kerala as their primary stronghold, where Pinarayi Vijayan made history by retaining power in the 2021 Assembly elections.
In the last nine years, there have been minor conflicts between the CPI-M and CPI. During the first Vijayan government, the CPI caused a stir when all four of its Ministers boycotted a weekly Cabinet meeting due to internal disagreements with Vijayan, but the matter was resolved quickly.
Despite currently being part of the Left alliance, the CPI has historically allied with the Congress, with their illustrious leaders C. Achutha Menon and P.K. Vasudevan Nair having served as Chief Ministers with Congress support.
