Controversy erupted in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) after its local secretary Agali was accused of issuing death threats to a former regional secretary. VR Ramakrishnan, who is contesting as an independent in Agali panchayat ward 18, revealed that he was threatened by local party secretary N. Jamshir.
“Don’t try to defeat our party. Otherwise we will have to terminate you,” Mr Jamshir allegedly threatened Mr Ramakrishnan over the phone. “I no longer belong to any party. When I look up, there is only heaven; when I look down, there is only earth. I see only fraud here. Even if God commands me, I will not withdraw from this contest,” Mr. Ramakrishnan is learned to have replied to Mr. Jamshir.
‘Exchanging Pranks’
Their conversation sparked controversy, with party leaders divided between playing it down and taking it seriously. CPI(M) district secretary EN Suresh Babu disowned Mr Jamshir and said leaders should exercise restraint especially during elections. Mr. Babu said the party would look into the matter.
CPI(M) Agali Area Committee Secretary tried to play down the incident and said that Mr. Jamshir and Mr. Ramakrishnan were friends and were just exchanging banter. Mr. Ramakrishnan, who had been with the CPI(M) for 42 years, said he was fed up with the party’s rogue operations in Attappady. He said he was contesting as an independent to expose the party’s wrongdoing in Attappady.
Published – 23 Nov 2025 21:04 IST
