Kochi: Senior CPI veterans have rallied behind director Vinayan, who filed a complaint against Ranjith, Chairman of the State Chalachitra Academy. They have welcomed the state government’s direction to the Department of Cultural Affairs to conduct an inquiry over the allegations levelled against Ranjith. These allegations pertain to his alleged attempt to exert undue influence on the jury of the Kerala State Film Awards, 2022.

“It is welcoming that the chief minister handed over Vinayan’s complaint to the Department of Cultural Affairs. As jury members themselves revealed there were some interventions, the matter should be probed and action taken,” said CPI national executive member K Prakash Babu.

It may be noted that Vinayan held the chairmanship of Horticorp as CPI representative. Similarly, it is learnt Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan’s remarks defending Ranjith have raised eyebrows of many in CPI and CPM camps of the Left front.

During the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)2022, Ranjith received flak for remarks against the audience who booed at him at the closing ceremony. Many had accused him of the mismanagement of the event.