The CPI(M)’s Kerala leadership has removed E.N. Suresh Babu as Palakkad district secretary after a woman lawyer complained of alleged harassment. The party may consider further disciplinary action.
A woman from Ottappalam who is associated with the party’s lawyers’ organisation submitted a complaint to the CPI(M) State leadership. Party sources said it included evidence and alleged that an incident took place at the district committee office in Palakkad, where she had been called.
The Hindu reported that Polit Bureau member and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan summoned Babu, had the complaint read to him and asked him to step down. Babu reportedly requested that the complaint not be cited as the reason for his removal. The party later described the change as part of an organisational review after an electoral setback.
The decision was taken at a district secretariat meeting attended by State secretary M.V. Govindan. Former legislator V. Chenthamarakshan was appointed the new district secretary. District secretaries are normally changed during party conferences, making this the first such removal in the post-election organisational changes.
Party leaders may consider expelling Babu from primary membership and could appoint a special inquiry commission. Members at district meetings called for his removal from all party responsibilities. District leaders reportedly feared political consequences if he remained in office.
The CPI(M) has faced criticism over its handling of complaints involving women, including the case of former legislator P.K. Sasi. Senior leader and former MP N.N. Krishnadas said the party had differences of opinion but no factionalism. He said organisational changes were under way at several levels and that complaints would be treated seriously.