‘Pinarayi is a Communist fighter, not someone who came with his name written on a piece of paper’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior CPM leader E.P. Jayarajan said the party would use all its strength to politically and legally defend Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan against the Crime Branch investigation in the monthly pay-off case.

“Pinarayi Vijayan is a leader and a Communist fighter who rose through the struggles of the Communist movement. He is not someone who became a leader because his name was written on some piece of paper,” Jayarajan said while speaking at the A.K.G. Centre on Azhikodan Raghavan Memorial Day.

The remarks came after the Kerala government ordered a preliminary Crime Branch inquiry based on information provided by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case.

Jayarajan said nobody should think that the CPM could be destroyed because the party suffered a setback in the last election.

“We will give a strong reply to those who try to destroy the party by pointing to temporary setbacks. The Communist movement will overcome such challenges and move forward,” he said.

He also warned that the party would not remain a silent spectator to attempts to weaken the CPM in Kerala.

“Pinarayi Vijayan is the strength and power of the party. How long have they been targeting him? The bullet that was aimed at him hit me, and that is how Pinarayi escaped,” Jayarajan said.

He further alleged that attempts were now being made to target Pinarayi’s family after efforts to weaken him had failed.

“When they could not destroy him through these attempts, they are now trying to destroy his family. The party will strongly resist such moves,” Jayarajan said.