Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Kerala State secretary M.V. Govindan has come out strongly against a section of “corporate-controlled right-wing media”, accusing them of spreading false narratives and fake news to undermine the party as well as scuttle the corrective measures being initiated within it following the Assembly election defeat.

Mr. Govindan’s broadside against the media comes in the wake of some media reports which carried statements attributed to him and other leaders, purportedly made at the CPI(M)’s State secretariat meetings. In a Facebook post, he quoted some of these headlines, including one which claimed that Mr. Govindan said it was a delusion that he and Pinarayi Vijayan could be replaced.

“People have to remain vigilant against fake news that does not have a shred of truth. Some media outlets have been spreading false news for several days claiming to be reports of the happenings in the party meetings. A strong public resistance will be organised against such false propaganda. Legal action will be taken against fake news,” said Mr. Govindan.

He said the party, not the media, decides who should be its leader. “The organisational structure of the Communist parties is different from that of bourgeois political parties. The party has conducted a detailed review regarding the defeat in the Assembly elections. The party is examining the criticisms raised by party workers right from the branch meetings and is making the necessary corrections. If there is a mistake on the part of any leader, the party can criticise and correct it. This applies to all the party leaders,” he said.

‘Challenges of new era’

He said that along with the corrective process, the CPI(M) is also seeking opinions from the public to meet the challenges of the new era. Tens of thousands of suggestions have already been received from the public. This shows the trust and love the public has in the CPI(M). Taking these suggestions into consideration, the CPI(M) will formulate an action plan in the State committee meeting to be held in August, he said.