No "groupism" in CPI(M): Yechury

Bangalore, May 27 (UNI) Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury today said there was no ''groupism'' in the party.

Talking to mediapersons here, he strongly defended the suspension of Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan from Polit Bureau yesterday.

He said, ''there is no groupism in the party. If there was groupism, we will not have taken such a decision''.

Since both Mr Achuthanandan and Mr Vijayan indulged in attacking each other in public against the principles of the party, the action was taken, he added.

Clarifying that Mr Achuthanandan can continue as Chief Minister, Mr Yechury said the Central Committee would meet in New Delhi on June 24 to take stock of the situation and decide further on the suspension issue.

Replying to a question, he said there was no chance of finding a consensus candidate for the President's post. The CPI(M) was holding discussion with the UPA and other parties.

However, the CPI(M) wants a Presidential candidate, with a secular ideology, political experience and the ability to handle both judiciary and politics, he added.

UNI