The CPI(M)’s extended Kottayam district committee has decided to act against functionaries who have defaulted on cooperative bank loans and the message is very clear – pay all dues.
District Committee Members in Question
As per news reports, the positions of five office-bearers, all district secretariat or district committee members, are now in question. The committee has reportedly asked them to clear their dues by October 30. Four of the five are said to owe relatively small amounts. Some delegates wanted anyone who fails to repay removed from committee posts, and others called for stricter oversight of office-bearers’ financial dealings.
Beyond Loans
The meeting went beyond loans. A few delegates blamed the party’s defeat in the Pala assembly segment on the cooperative sector crisis. Members also admitted that area committees had not risen to the occasion during the assembly elections. Some said the defeats in Kottayam, Puthuppally and Ettumanoor were never discussed specifically, and worried that traditionally loyal workers and voters are drifting away. The discussions were held on Friday, and the committee concluded on Saturday.
It is worth to mention that in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank case, the Enforcement Directorate in its chargesheet, named the CPI(M) itself as the 68th accused in a list of 83 individuals and entities. It was alleged that the loans were sanctioned without verifying collateral. The party has rejected the allegations and says it will fight them legally and politically.
