THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major blow to opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, the CPM state committee on Sunday decided to expel three of his close aides from the primary membership of the party. Press secretary K Balakrishnan, private secretary V K Sasidharan and personal assistant A Suresh were accused of leaking secret party documents to the media.
The decision, taken by the CPM secretariat meeting on Friday, was endorsed by the state committee. It is learnt C K Saseendran, J Mercykutty Amma and S Sarma, who are known to be close to VS, opposed the decision at the meeting. However, the party is yet to officially announce the decision as its central leadership is learnt to have intervened in the issue. Sources close to V S said the leader has conveyed displeasure over the action to CPM general secretary Prakash Karat and politburo member Sitaram Yechury.
