Kerala unit of CPI-M set for party plenum

The state unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist is set to hold a three-day plenum here from Wednesday, politburo member and state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The flag-hoisting ceremony signalling the official opening of the event will be held in Palakkad Wednesday evening, and party veteran T. Sivadasa Menon will hoist the party flag.

In an article in the party organ Monday, CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said while there were no differences of opinion to be sorted out in political or ideological matters, there were organisational issues that needed discussion.

"But there are some organisational issues and the main agenda of the special plenum is to sort out this " Vijayan said in the article.

The plenum assumes significance as there has been a long-standing feud in the party between former chief minister and leader of the opposition in the state assembly, V.S. Achuthanandan, and Vijayan.

Vijayan emerged stronger after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court cleared him of all charges pertaining to the SNC Lavalin case.

The case related to a contract that the government entered into with a Canadian firm for the modernisation of hydro-electric power stations. In this corruption case, Vijayan was earlier arraigned as seventh accused by the CBI. On Nov 5, he, along with the six others, was acquitted of all charges.