Pathanamthitta: Veteran CPM leader A Padmakumar has once again expressed his dissatisfaction over being left out of the party's state committee and the decision to include Veena George as a special invitee. Returning home after attending the CPM state conference, he reiterated his stance in a Facebook post but later deleted it.

“I am still with the CPM. I only voiced my concerns about certain organisational matters. When it comes to political and organisational decisions, the party is always right. I have no plans to leave the CPM,” Padmakumar said.


He pointed out that K P Udayabhanu and Raju Abraham from Pathanamthitta were inducted into the state committee, which he had no objections to. However, he questioned Veena George’s rise within the party, arguing that she had never actively contributed to its organisational work. “She was brought in as a candidate by us. Someone with no background in party activities has now become an MLA twice, then a minister. She is undoubtedly a capable woman, but placing her in a top organisational role solely based on her parliamentary work has naturally raised concerns among many. Someone had to say it out loud, so I did,” he said.

Padmakumar admitted that his opinions should ideally have been conveyed within party forums, but since he had expressed them publicly on Facebook, it was up to the party to examine the matter. “If I have violated party discipline, there will be consequences. Without disciplinary action, this wouldn't be a Communist Party. And the rules should apply to everyone, not just me,” he asserted.

Despite the possibility of facing disciplinary action, Padmakumar reaffirmed his commitment to the party, dismissing any speculation about him leaving. “I started as an SFI activist at the age of 15, and for the last 52 years, I have remained with the party. I have no intention of seeking another political home in my later years. I will remain in the CPM, upholding its ideology and policies, as long as the party allows me to stay,” he stated.

Indirectly referencing Veena George’s inclusion, he remarked, “Their nine years in the party are apparently more important than my 52 years. She is far more capable than me, I suppose. That must be why I was sidelined. There is nothing more to it.”

Following the announcement of the new state committee at the CPM state conference, Padmakumar had posted on Facebook, “Betrayal, deception, humiliation. A 52-year-old account settled. Lal Salaam.” 

His exclusion from the committee and Veena George’s inclusion as a special invitee had clearly triggered his discontent. 

On Sunday night, he left the state conference venue in Kollam and returned home in Aranmula. The following morning, as he arrived at his usual badminton court in Aranmula, he reiterated his stand in a conversation with Mathrubhumi News.