Godfather jibe costs E S Bijimol her CPI post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI on Wednesday removed Peermedu legislator E.S. Bijimol from the state council of the party in connection with her “godfather” remark. The state council meeting in Alappuzha ratified the state executive recommendation for initiating action against her. The MLA will function as member of the Idukki district council. At the council meeting, committee members took strong exception to the remarks of Ms Bijimol which had created a wrong impression among the people about the party.

Though a section of members tried to speak in her favour and even suggested that she be spared of disciplinary action, the majority opinion was against any such relaxation. It was felt that if disciplinary action is not taken, it would send wrong signal to party workers leading to similar problems in future and denting the party’s image.

Though Ms Bijimol had expressed regret twice over the remark during an interview to a magazine indirectly criticising the state leadership of the CPI for not considering her for Cabinet berth, the state leadership had not found it satisfactory. Ms Bijimiol had stated that the magazine had not reproduced what she expressed. Many of the things which were said in an informal manner were included in the published interview, she pointed out.

Meanwhile, Mr Kanam Rajendran said Ms Bijimol had violated party discipline. Her remark had led to various interpretations which were against the party and its leadership. Moreover, the MLA had failed to apprise the party about grievances at the appropriate time. There is no point in saying sorry when the damage has already been done, he said and added that her remarks had been widely discussed in the state.