Resignation of ex-MP raising issue of faith setback to CPI-M

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 9 (PTI) The resignation of former
Member of Parliament K S Manoj from Communist Party of India
Marxist CPI(M), raising the issue of "faith", has come as a
jolt to the party as it plans to broadbase its support by
attracting minorities.

Manoj, who wrested Alappuzha Lok Sabha (Lower House of
Indian Parliament) seat in India's southern state of Kerala
from Congress in 2004 but lost in 2009, resigned from the
party on Friday night, saying it was difficult for him to
follow the recent party directive, insisting that its members
refrain from participating in religious rites and ceremonies.
This norm was adopted by the party's central leadership
as part of its "rectification" process in the wake of the
electoral debacle to stem 'wrong tendencies and shortcomings'
in its ranks to strengthen their orientation to Marxist
values.
A medical doctor who took up social work as a member of
the Catholic Youth Movement, Manoj said it was difficult for
him to do justice to the directive as he was a believer and a
participant in religious rites.
He, however, said he had no quarrel with the party and
the decision to give up membership was purely personal.
The resignation of Manoj comes months after the expulsion
of former MP from Kannur A P Abdullakutty, who had also
embarrassed the party through his open acknowledgment of his
faith.
He had since then joined Congress and got elected to the
assembly through a by-election.
Manoj and Abdullakutty were often projected as the
"minority faces" of the CPI-M. MORE PTI NM
MYR


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