CMP splits, factions to remain in UDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Communist Marxist Party (CMP) formed in 1986 when M V Raghvan was expelled from the CPM has vertically split. Its two prominent leaders, K R Aravindakshan and C P John, convened two separate meeting of the party leaders in Thirssur and Thiruvananthapuram respectively on Friday and expelled each other from the party. Both the factions claimed that they had the support of the majority of its central committee members.However, both the factions have decided to stay with the UDF.
The dissidence within the party started with one son of M V Raghavan staking claim in the properties owned by the trust headed by M V Raghavan. The leaders led by Aravindakshan questioned this since they claimed that the properties were owned by the party and not by the family of M V Raghavan. Interestingly, the family dispute is also learnt to have led to the split in the party. When two sons of Raghavan are supporting Aravindakshan, the other one, who has taken the control of all the assets, is with C P John.
There were speculations that the faction led by Aravindakshan would be joining hands with the LDF, since he was very close to the LDF leaders. However, the meeting held in Thrissur by Aravindakshan faction has decided to stay with the UDF for the time being. "At present we have decided to stay with the UDF. What will happen in future cannot be said at this time," said CMP leader A K Kannan, while speaking to reporters after their meeting.
Meanwhile, C P John claimed that all the district committees were with the faction led by him and hence the claims made by the other faction were totally baseless. Both the factions have now decided to take control of the party offices in each district.