CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan visited the family of ADM Naveen Babu who died in Pathanamthitta.

MV Govindan extended the ruling party’s undying support to the family of Additional District Magistrate, Kannur, Naveen Babu who died on Sunday (October 20, 2024) | Photo Credit: H. Vibhu

Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State Secretary MV Govindan on Sunday (October 20, 2024) extended the ruling party’s undying support to the family of deceased Additional District Magistrate, Kannur, Naveen Babu.

Babu’s alleged suicide on the eve of his transfer to Pathanamthitta following alleged insulting remarks by CPI(M) leader and former District Panchayat President, Kannur, PP Divya, has created a political storm.

Babu’s death created a public uproar and wrong-footed the ruling party and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in the run-up to crucial by-elections to the Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly constituencies and the Wayanad Lok Sabha segment in November.

Mr Govindan said the police and finance department are investigating Ms Divya and others in connection with the unnatural death. The CPI(M) and the government have vowed to bring those involved to justice.

When asked if the CPI(M) would take any disciplinary action against Ms. Divya, Mr. Govindan said: “It is an organizational issue related to the CPI(M). The party had removed Ms. Divya as the president of the District Panchayat as her continuation in the post became a public issue”.

Mr. Govindan denied reports that Kannur and Pathanamthitta factions were at loggerheads over Babu’s death. He said CPI(M) district secretary, Kannur, MV Jayarajan, had accompanied Babu’s body to his house in Pathanamthitta. CPI(M) district secretary, Pathanamthitta, KP Udayabhanu, earlier expressed solidarity with Babu’s family.

Ms Divya has also faced criticism from the ruling party, the Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary Binoy Viswam said that those in elected positions should balance their words and actions.

The leader of the opposition party VD Satheesan said Ms. Divya had no business even appearing during Babu’s official removal and “belittled” the officer in front of his colleagues “without basis” by making humiliating and damaging allegations of corruption.

BJP State President K Surendran accused Ms Divya of being heavy-handed and abusing power. Kerala Governor Arif Muhammed Khan said he would call the bereaved family and said the Raj Bhavan was monitoring the progress of the police and the department’s investigation.

Congress and BJP have made a political issue out of Babu’s death. Leaders of both parties called the bereaved family at their residence in Pathanamthitta. The circumstances leading to Babu’s death were a talking point for the Congress and the BJP in the by-elections.