CPM suspensions expose party weakness: IUML

Kochi, May 27 (UNI) The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) today said the suspension of Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and CPM State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan from the party politburo had exposed the organisational weakness in the Marxist party.

Addressing a press conference here, IUML Kerala Secretary E T Mohd Basheer and Treasurer P K Kunhalikutty said the suspensions, announced yesterday, had caused widespread concern among the people of the state.

''It is not an internal matter of the CPM but affects the people of Kerala,'' Mr Kunhalikutty said.

The suspensions were a result of the organisational weakness of the CPM. Despite the suspensions, the two leaders continued to be in their important posts and this showed the organisational hollowness of the party, Mr Basheer said.

Asked if Mr Achuthanandan should step down as chief minister, Mr Basheer said, ''that is for the LDF to decide.'' Accusing the CPM-led LDF Government in Kerala of being ''aimless,'' the IUML leaders said the government had failed to bring any development initiatives for the state.

Even the 'Smart City' Infopark in Kochi was a by-product of the Global Investment Meet held by the UDF Government. The agreement for the project was signed between the Dubai-based TECOM company and the Kerala Government this month.

Claiming that there was a ''stalemate'' on the development front under the LDF Government rule, Mr Kunhalikutty said sectors like health were suffering, as was evidenced by the death of more than 30 infants at the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Talking about the demolition drive by the LDF government against encroachments on public and forest land, Mr Kunhalkutty said the eviction operation launched with much fanfare, seemed to be tapering off now.

''It seems the government has reached some understanding on the matter,'' he added.

UNI