E.N. Suresh Babu removed as CPI(M) Palakkad secretary after woman lawyer’s complaint; party may consider expulsion

The CPI(M) State leadership in Keralam has intervened directly following a woman lawyer’s complaint alleging misbehaviour by E.N. Suresh Babu, resulting in his removal as Palakkad district secretary. The party may now consider further disciplinary action, including his expulsion from primary membership.

The complaint, submitted to the CPI(M) State leadership by a woman from Ottappalam who is associated with the party lawyers’ organisation, is understood to have included evidence. The alleged incident took place at the CPI(M) district committee office in Palakkad, where the woman had been called, according to party sources.

The seriousness of the complaint prompted intervention by the top leadership. Polit Bureau member and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan reportedly summoned Mr. Babu and had the complaint read out to him. He was asked to step down as district secretary.

Mr. Babu is understood to have requested that the complaint not be cited as the reason for his removal. The party subsequently projected his removal as part of its organisational review following the electoral setback.

The decision to remove him was taken at a district secretariat meeting attended by CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan. Former MLA V. Chenthamarakshan was appointed as the new Palakkad district secretary.

The move is significant as district secretaries are normally changed during party conferences. This is also the first such removal in the organisational changes being carried out after the election setback.

Disciplinary action

Party leaders may consider further disciplinary action against Mr. Babu, including expulsion from primary membership. The matter is likely to be taken up at the State secretariat meeting following the extended district committee meetings. The party may also consider appointing a special inquiry commission to examine the complaint.

At both the district secretariat and district committee meetings, there was a demand to remove Mr. Babu from all party responsibilities. The district leadership is understood to have felt that allowing him to continue could have political consequences for the party.

The CPI(M) has faced criticism in the past over its handling of complaints involving women, including the case of former MLA P.K. Sasi. The latest action indicates that the State leadership is seeking to send a clear message that complaints of harassment will be taken seriously.

Senior CPI(M) leader and former MP N.N. Krishnadas said there were differences of opinion within the party but no ideological or political factionalism. He said the party was undergoing changes at the district, area committee and local committee levels.

“If there is a complaint, our party will take it seriously and handle it seriously,” Mr. Krishnadas said.