Kerala CM attends march led by arch rival

February 26, 2009, (Thiruvananthapruam)
A crisis in the CPM's Kerala unit has been averted for the time being. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's participated in the Nava

Kerala March public meeting led by CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan. The CPM's Kerala was pleasantly surprised on

Wednesday when Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan showed up at a function led by CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, even

though he had earlier said he would stay away.

Nevertheless, he used the opportunity to reiterate his stand on corruption, even though his comments were no longer aimed at

Vijayan.

"The party General Secretary has explained the position on CPM ledader's corruption issue. We will fight it politically and legally,"

Achuthanandan said.

But earlier, Pinarayi Vijayan did take a potshot at Achuthanadan's one man style of functioning, saying no one was above the party.

"All our strength is because of this sea-like organisation. Without this organisation, no individual has any strength. This is the reality

we all are aware of," he said.

The party general secretary Prakash Karat was clearly doing his bit to undo damage caused by the recent spat between

Achutananadan and Vijayan.

"We are united we will go with the resolve for the battle of elections."

With Achuthanadan and Pinarayi sharing the stage, the crisis in the party seems to be over, at least for now.