Pathanamthitta: Minister P Prasad has dismissed criticisms made by KE Ismail against the appointment of Binoy Viswam as CPI state secretary. “There is no question of ‘‘succession’ as alleged by Ismail here, the decision to appoint Binoy Viswam was taken after consulting with party national leadership. There is nothing unnatural about it,” said Prasad.

Ismail had earlier alleged that the rule of succession is against the communist ethics.

“I don’t know on what grounds Ismail made such comments, to be frank the party does not owe an explanation to the public regarding appointments to various key posts. Those are purely organisational decisions,” said the minister.

After Kanam had applied for leave, it was widely believed that the party affairs in the state would be jointly taken care of by his assistant secretaries PP Suneer and E Chandrasekharan, with the help of Binoy Viswam. However, that was not meant to be. 

It is said that in his letter, late Kanam had requested the party leadership to bestow the responsibilities upon Viswam in his absence. However, Ismail was miffed with the final decision. The veteran leader seems to be against the idea of ‘personal’ recommendations in party ranks.