Sabarimala gold scam: CPM finally acts, issues notice to jailed leader A Padmakumar

Kottayam: CPM has finally taken an action against party leader A Padmakumar, who has been jailed in connection with the Sabarimala gold scam. CPM served a notice to Padmakumar seeking an explanation for "bringing disgrace to the party". The notice was sent by post, and Padmakumar was asked to give a reply by Thursday. Padmakumar, former president of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and a former MLA, was granted statutory bail earlier this month after he completed 90 days in remand. Padmakumar, who is also a member of the Pathanamthitta district committee of the party, is likely to be expelled from the committee following the notice. However, the matter of serving notice was not discussed either in the district committee or the secretariat. According to sources, the action was based on the directions of the state committee. CPM had come under fire for not taking any action against Padmakumar. The party leadership took the stand that action should be taken only after a chargesheet was filed in the case. However, with the elections round the corner, the party felt that taking no action against Padmakumar would backfire in the elections. Padmakumar is expected to file a detailed reply to the notice, arguing that the allegations that came up against him were all wrong.