Mani's speech a deviation from party's political line: Pinarayi

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M in Kerala today virtually censured its Idukki district secretary M M Mani for his controversial speech in which he stated that there had been instances of the party eliminating political rivals. As the party is faced with deep embarrassment over Mani's utterances at a public meeting, at the press meet held at the AKG centre, CPI-M state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said Mani had committed a 'mistake' and his speech was a 'deviation' from the party's political line. 

Addressing reporters here, Vijayan made a strong call to party cadres, leaders and functionaries to refrain from making controversial statements at a time when the party was under a grim attack from its enemies.

Vijayan said the party had grown over the years resisting attacks from various quarters, but countering violence with violence was not the policy of CPI-M.

Congress-led UDF Government had taken note of Mani's speech. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said this 'disclosure'
was a serious matter and legal steps would be taken on it. 

Mani, a senior leader in the high-range Idukki district and known to be close to Vijayan, made his controversial
speech at a public meeting held at Thodupuzha on Friday.

He also made some adverse comments on Achuthanandan in his speech, alluding to the factional feud in the state unit
of the party which has recently intensified. PTI