CPI-M's last and final call for Achuthanandan to attend conference

In what appears to be the last and final call to veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan who has walked out of the ongoing party conference, the CPI-M asked him to return to the ongoing party meet for its last day Monday.

Addressing reporters at the conference venue in Alappuzha, politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Sunday night said that what Achuthanandan did Saturday by walking out was wrong.

"The politburo members who are here met today (Sunday) and was unanimous that what he did was wrong. The same feelings was echoed when the state secretariat also met. Our party general secretary Prakash Karat was asked by the meeting to speak to Achuthanandan and to ask him to return and attend the meeting tomorrow (Monday)," said Balakrishnan, who had Saturday denied the former chief minister had walked out.

The 21st Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) conference that began on Friday plunged into a crisis when 91-year-old Achuthanandan walked out of the meeting Saturday morning in Alappuzha and returned back to his official residence as leader of opposition in Kerala assembly in Thiruvananthapuram, which is around 130 kms from Alappuzha.

Balakrishnan said that as a responsible party veteran, Achuthanandan by no way can stay away from the conference and he was assured that all what he wants to say can be said in the conference.

"Each and every party member has to abide by the party constitution and none is above the party. Achuthanandan should come and attend the conference tomorrow (Monday) and can correct himself by taking part," he said.

Balakrishnan also noted out that utmost patience has been shown by the party and they did not want to loose anyone from our party.

"We are all optimistic," he said to a query if he expects Achuthanandan to return.

Before the conference Monday, a new party state secretary will be elected to replace Pinarayi Vijayan who has finished his tenure and also an 80 member state committee.

Meanwhile since his return to his official residence, Achuthanandan was closeted with four of his closest aides and sources in the know of things have revealed that he is unlikely to return for the conference and either Monday or Tuesday, he might even quit as leader of opposition.