CPM panel records statement of Devikulam former MLA

Idukki: The CPM probe panel into the alleged lapses in election campaigning, collected statements of former Devikulam MLA S Rajendran. Earlier, CPM district secretariat has deputed a commission of CPM district secretariat members V M Mohanan and C V Varghese to probe the allegations. The commission on Wednesday collected the statement from Rajendran. Reacting to the probe, Rajendran said that he was not known to be a leader of a particular caste. “For the last twenty years, I have been a popular face of CPM in Munnar and not on the basis of any caste. A CPM leader can’t work under the label of a caste,” said Rajendran.“The rumors that I joined CPI are baseless. I am known to be a CPM leader and have no plan to move to any other party. I suspect that some groups within the party are working to sideline me,” he said.Earlier, CPM Munnar, Marayoor and Adimali area committees had stated before the inquiry commission that Rajendran tried to defeat party candidates under the banner of caste.The probe commission was appointed over allegations that Rajenderan did not actively participate in election campaigning at Devikulam constituency. Rajendran, a three-time MLA from Devikulam, expected another chance to contest from the constituency. When it was denied, he was unwilling to campaign and CPM district secretary KK Jayachandran had to take over, said party sources. It was alleged that Rajendran tried to sabotage the caste-level vote sharing and only attended the campaign venues where he was welcomed by the leadership.The probe committee will soon submit the report and the district committee will recommend action against Rajendran, party sources said.