A controversy has erupted within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] after its Agali local secretary was accused of making a death threat against a former area secretary. V.R. Ramakrishnan, who is contesting as an Independent in Ward 18 of the Agali panchayat, revealed that he was threatened by the party’s local secretary N. Jamshir.
“Do not try to defeat our party. Otherwise we will have to finish you off,” Mr. Jamshir is alleged to have threatened Mr. Ramakrishnan over phone. “I no longer belong to any party. When I look up, there is only the sky; when I look down, there is only the earth. I see only deceit here. Even if God tells me to, I will not withdraw from this contest,” Mr. Ramakrishnan is learned to have replied to Mr. Jamshir.
‘Exchanging banter’
Their conversation has stirred controversy, with party leaders divided between downplaying it and taking it seriously. CPI(M) district secretary E.N. Suresh Babu disowned Mr. Jamshir and said that leaders should exercise restraint especially during the election time. Mr. Babu said that the party would examine the matter.
The CPI(M) Agali area committee secretary tried to downplay the incident, saying that Mr. Jamshir and Mr. Ramakrishnan were friends and were just exchanging banter. Mr. Ramakrishnan, who had been with the CPI(M) for 42 years, said that he was fed up with the party’s dishonest operations in Attappady. He said he was running as an Independent in order to expose the party’s wrongdoings in Attappady.
Published – November 23, 2025 09:04 pm IST
