CPI turns up the heat on estranged leader

With just a few days left for the local body polls, the showdown between the Pathanamthitta district unit of the Communist Party of India and one of its estranged leaders is escalating to a whole new level.

District panchayat member Sreenadevi Kunjamma, who switched to the Congress ahead of the local body elections, is now facing a legal salvo from CPI district secretary and Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar.

In his notice, Mr. Gopakumar accuses her of spreading ‘false, politically motivated, defamatory claims’ via social media and news outlets to tarnish his reputation. Mr. Gopakumar has demanded a public apology within 48 hours, withdrawal of her press statements, full retraction of misogyny allegations, including the remark of a `vulgar smile’ and removal of all defamatory content online.

Once elected as a CPI member, Kunjamma’s new UDF candidature in Pallickal has added fuel to the political firestorm.