Thiruvananthapuram: Amid growing protests demanding the resignation of actor and MLA M. Mukesh following a sexual assault complaint, the CPI(M) Secretariat meeting will take place today. The meeting, which will be attended by leaders including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is expected to discuss the issue related to Mukesh. The Hema Committee report is also likely to be discussed in the Secretariat meeting. There is a general opinion within the CPI(M) that Mukesh should resign. CPI(M) leaders point out that opposition MLAs who faced similar allegations did not resign. The available Secretariat meeting on Thursday also evaluated the need to avoid unnecessary procedural complications. LDF Convenor E.P. Jayarajan, senior CPI(M) leader K.K. Shailaja MLA, and P.K. Sreemathi expressed their stance that Mukesh should resign. However, decisions regarding pressure to be applied by the opposition for Mukesh’s resignation are expected to be discussed in today’s Secretariat meeting.
CPI Calls for Mukesh’s Resignation
The CPI has demanded Mukesh’s resignation on moral grounds. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to emphasize the need for Mukesh’s resignation. Binoy Viswam directly informed the Chief Minister of the party’s stance. This position from the CPI State Executive has increased pressure on the CPI(M). In the CPI meeting, it was noted that protecting someone charged with sexual assault is not the leftist position.
CPI leaders J. Chinchurani, Kamala Sadanandan, and P. Vasantham have taken a firm stance in the CPI State Executive Committee meeting, calling for Mukesh’s resignation. Earlier, senior CPI leaders Annie Raja, Pannyan Ravindran, and Prakash Babu also supported the demand for Mukesh’s resignation.
Opposition Steps Up Protests
Opposition groups are intensifying their protests demanding Mukesh MLA’s resignation. The Mahila Congress Kollam District Committee will march to the MLA’s office today. The women’s collective in the film industry, Women Collectives, is also organizing a march to the MLA’s office. The BJP has also called for a protest march to Mukesh’s residence in Pattathana.
Opposition groups have decided to continue their protests until Mukesh resigns. They accuse the CPI(M) of protecting the accused by refusing to demand a resignation despite a police case being filed. In response to the protests, police security has been increased at both the MLA’s office and residence.
