A controversy involving former LDF convener and veteran Communist leader E.P. Jayarajan has once again put the CPI(M) and the LDF on the defensive on election day. It began after an excerpt allegedly from Jayarajan's autobiography was leaked, in which he criticises the party for disregarding his opinion when it decided to remove him from the LDF convener post. He also reportedly claims that the second Pinarayi Vijayan government is weak, in the excerpt.
Notably, the 'leak' occurred on the day of polling in Chelakkara assembly constituency—where the CPI(M) aims to retain its seat—and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.
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Jayarajan, however, has vehemently denied the allegations, saying the 'leaked' excerpt is not from his autobiography. The book is still not finished, he told reporters, and added that no publisher has been commissioned to publish it yet.
According to reports, Jayarajan, in the autobiography, also criticises the candidature of Congress defector P. Sarin, who was nominated as the LDF candidate in the Palakkad bypolls, saying that only time will tell whether supporting independents like him was the right decision.
Labelling the 'leak' as “false and politically motivated”, Jayarajan said he will take legal action against those spreading misinformation. He said it was done to harm the CPI(M) and the LDF on the polling day, and that a larger controversy was at play. He added that the truth will be revealed once the book is published.
DC Books had initially announced the release of the autobiography today, but postponed it citing technical issues, after the controversy erupted.
Jayarajan, who has been at odds with the party state leadership for some time, said two publishers, including DC Books, have shown interest in publishing his autobiography, but he has not yet given final approval to either of them. He also questioned the authenticity of the purported title— Kattanchayayum Parippuvadayum—and the cover image being circulated.
During the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, Jayarajan put the party on the defensive on voting day by admitting he had briefly met Prakash Javadekar, then BJP's Kerala in-charge, at his son’s flat in Thiruvananthapuram. Jayarajan lost his LDF convener post soon after. However, the party did not remove him from the Central Committee and has consistently maintained that his removal as LDF convener was not a disciplinary action.
Around two months ago, Jayarajan had said that every subject, including his meeting with Javadekar, would be explained in his autobiography.
