MV Govindan conveyed the ruling party’s unwavering support to the family of late Kannur District Magistrate Naveen Babu on Sunday (October 20, 2024) | Photo Credit: H. Vibhu
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State Secretary MV Govindan on Sunday (October 20, 2024) conveyed the ruling party’s unwavering support to the family of late Additional District Judge Kannur Naveen Babu.
After CPI(M) leader and former district council president PP Divya in Kannur allegedly made disparaging remarks about Babu, Babu died of suspected suicide on the eve of his transfer to Pathanamthitta, triggering a controversy. A political storm.
Babu’s death sparked a public outcry and caught the ruling party and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government off guard ahead of crucial November by-elections in Cherakala and Palakkad assembly constituencies and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency .
Govindan said police and the tax department were investigating the unnatural deaths of Ms Divya and others. The CPI(M) and the government have vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
Asked whether the CPI(M) would take any disciplinary action against Ms Divya, Mr Govindan said: “This is an organizational issue for the CPI(M). The party has already relieved Ms Divya of her District Council Chairperson position as her continuance in office is a public issue”.
Govindan denied reports of differences between the Kannur and Pathanamthitta parties over Babu’s death. He said CPI(M) district secretary Kannur, MV Jayarajan accompanied Babu’s body to his house in Pathanamthitta. CPI(M) district secretary Pathanamthitta KP Udayabhanu expressed solidarity with Babu’s family from the beginning.
Ms Divya has also faced criticism from within the ruling party, the opposition Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary Binoy Viswam said elected officials should moderate their words and actions.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan said there was no reason for Ms Divya to attend Babu’s official farewell ceremony and to “debase” the official by making “baseless” insulting and personally damaging allegations of corruption in front of colleagues.
Bharatiya Janata Party chief Surendran accused Ms Divya of being tyrannical and abusing her power. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said he would visit the family of the deceased and said Raj Bhawan was following the progress of police and departmental investigations.
The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have made Babu’s death a political issue. Leaders from both the parties visited the bereaved family members at their residence in Pathanamthitta. The circumstances leading to Babu’s death are a central talking point in the polls for both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Published – October 20, 2024 1:12 pm (IST)