CPM ready to cooperate with KV Thomas if he leaves Congress: Kodiyeri

Kannur: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan here said that the party will cooperate with KV Thomas if he decides to leave Congress. Kodiyeri was speaking to the media during the Party Congress. He added that the party has not discussed anything in this regard earlier with the Congress veteran.

Thomas had said that he will attend the seminar organised by CPM in the backdrop of the Party Congress. This is despite the proscription of the high command and the continuing threat from state chief K Sudhakaran of disciplinary action.

Kodiyeri said that several leaders have quit Congress and associated with CPM. Three former general secretaries of Congress are now with CPM. Earlier, such leaders used to cooperate with CPM after joining other LDF constituents. Now the situation has changed and there is no issue in cooperating with the party directly, he said.

CPM has not discussed such issues with Thomas before. He took a stand following the invitation to the seminar. Though we had invited Shashi Tharoor as well, he conveyed his inability to attend the event due to the ban from high command. All speakers will not be expressing the opinion of CPM in the seminar. It is held to hear different views. What is the point of inviting them if they are here to reiterate the words of CPM, Kodiyeri asked.

Congress has decided not to cooperate with CPM. We invited Ramesh Chennithala to the state conference in Ernakulam. He did not attend. We are discussing matters against BJP, which Congress does not wish to endorse. They are hand in glove with BJP in Kerala to protest against the government, he accused.