CPI-M and CPI spar again in Kerala

The two premier Communist parties in Kerala's ruling Left government continue to spar over how the Right to Information Act (RTI) on cabinet decisions should be dealt with.

In a sharp reply to the statement of Communist Party of India State Secretary Kanam Rajendran, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday that it is most unfortunate that rumours are being spread over how state government is looking at the RTI.

"It's most unfortunate that interpretations are being aired implying that our government is following the same path as the previous Congress-led Kerala government, when it comes to giving out information on corruption. This is contrary to our Left ideology and it should not have come from someone who has to correct the wrongdoers," Vijayan said.

He added that at a seminar early this week, he had clearly specified in his speech that his government will take all steps to strengthen the Information Commission.

"I ended my speech by saying that steps will be taken to see how the RTI can be brought into the academic curriculum and also do everything to create more awareness among the civil society on RTI," the Chief Minister said.

Early this week, Rajendran had criticised Vijayan over the manner in which information on the details of the politics of violence in Kannur district were not made available under RTI and also stated that the probe against former ministers in the Oommen Chandy government was moving at a snail's pace.

Over the years, relations between the CPI-M and CPI has lost its warmth and even after eight months of Vijayan's taking office, the relations between the two parties continue to be the same.

Early this month, the CPI expressed its displeasure when the Kerala government diary saw the names of CPI ministers below that of other allies, even though CPI is the second biggest ally of the Left coalition. Following a protest by the CPI, the dairy has been asked to be reprinted.

The convention of printing the names of ministers in alphabetical order was also not followed.

--IANS

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