Alappuzha councillor caught in smuggling storm reinstated in CPM

Alappuzha: A Shanavas, an Alappuzha municipal councillor expelled from CPM due to his alleged involvement in smuggling banned tobacco, was reinstated by the party. The decision was made during a CPM district secretariat meeting attended by state secretariat member and minister Saji Cherian. The district secretariat approved recommendations from the Ashram local committee and Alappuzha area committees, made in Dec last year ahead of local body elections. In Jan 2023, during a vehicle inspection in Karunagappally, one of the vehicles seized with banned tobacco products worth Rs 1 crore belonged to Shanavas. Although another person presented documents showing they had rented the truck, absolving Shanavas from the case, it caused significant controversy within the party. Shanavas explained to the party that he rented out his truck and had no involvement in the illegal tobacco trade. However, the party took action because he purchased the truck without informing them and rented it to a person under suspicion for drug trafficking. Later, the police gave Shanavas a clean chit. The special branch reported to the district police chief that there was no evidence against Shanavas, confirming his claim that he rented out the vehicle and was not involved in the smuggling. The report stated that Shanavas's involvement in the illegal tobacco trade could not be established. Although Shanavas accepted the party's decision and applied for reinstatement, no decision was made. CPM's decision to allocate a seat in the Thondankulangara ward to Shanavas in the local body elections had stirred controversy. After winning the Alappuzha municipal council seat under the party symbol, the district secretariat approved the local and area committees' recommendation for his reinstatement. When the recommendation for reinstatement during the election period sparked controversy, district secretary R Nasar said that Shanavas is now a ‘good communist'. However, some opposing his reinstatement are reportedly planning to file a complaint with the state leadership, which could exacerbate factionalism and divisions within the party's Alappuzha unit.