CPI(M) leaders remain silent on allegations against Manu Thomas

Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have refused to comment on the allegations made by Manu Thomas, who has been removed from his post in the Kannur district committee of the CPI(M).

Party chief P Jayarajan remained tight-lipped about Mr Thomas’s allegations at a district secretariat meeting on Saturday. When questioned by the media, Mr Jayarajan said the allegations were more important to the media than to him.

CPI(M) Kannur district secretary MV Jayarajan also refused to address the issue.

Reports indicate that several members of the district secretariat criticised P. Jayarajan for escalating the situation through his Facebook post, which was posted after the district secretary addressed the media.

Mr. Thomas had accused party leaders of liaison with criminal groups, alleging that P. Jayarajan frequently put the party in crisis and used his influence for personal gain, implicating his son Jain P. Raj in illegal activities.

Meanwhile, a statement from the district CPI(M) secretariat said the party condemned media accounts linking it to criminal groups, terming the accusations baseless and misleading. Party leaders refuted allegations that state committee member P. Jayarajan and district committee member M. Shajar were helping these groups.

The district secretariat urged party members and the public to remain vigilant against such fake news. He said Mr Thomas’ allegations, widely shared on social media, were baseless and reprehensible.

The CPI(M) reiterated its commitment to mobilize the working and peasant masses, fight against injustice and oppose racist and corporate policies. He accuses right-wing parties and some media of trying to undermine the party’s credibility following recent electoral defeats, urging the public to see through disinformation campaigns.

Meanwhile, Jain P. Raj, through his lawyer, has issued a notice to Mr. Thomas, demanding a retraction of the allegations, a public apology and compensation of Rs 50 lakh. Mr. Raj has alleged that Mr. Thoma had falsely linked him to a gold mining gang, listing gangs and illegal businesses.