Editor's Pick: CPI(M)'s woes in Kerala

The Hindu Newsletter - Newsletter - subject [The Hindu Logo]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( Saturday 14, November 2020 [alt_text]( Editor's Pick [CPI(M)'s woes in Kerala]( [alt_text]( (The Editor's Pick is a new newsletter from The Hindu that provides a snapshot of the most important stories from today's edition of our newspaper, along with a note from our top editors on why we chose to give prominence to these stories.) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala has announced that its State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has [gone on an indefinite medical leave.]( While Mr. Balakrishnan had been undergoing treatment for cancer earlier, the new announcement is being linked to [his son's arrest](in an Enforcement Directorate probe. The probe links to the financing of those arrested when the Narcotics Control Probe bureau exposed a drug distribution network in Karnataka. Bineesh Kodiyeri, [who was arrested by the ED]( last month and is currently in judicial custody, has admitted that he loaned money to one of the accused in the drug case. The case has given ammunition to both the Congress and the BJP to target the CPI(M) ahead of the local body polls that have been announced. It also adds to the woes of the ruling party in the State, beleaguered with a case of gold smuggling via diplomatic baggage that has led to the [arrest of a former Principal Secretary of the Chief Minister](. There are money laundering charges in connection with that case, and even a terror financing angle that the NIA is probing. The CBI has also picked up a case of [FCRA violation connected to LIFE Mission](, an ambitious housing project of the Kerala government. [Swapna Suresh, an accused]( in the gold smuggling case, had claimed that she was paid off to get foreign funding for the LIFE Mission contractor. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, meanwhile, has accused the Centre of trying to destabilise his government using central agencies like the ED, NIA and CBI. The State has now withdrawn the general consent for the CBI to operate in the State. While the CPI(M)-led ruling coalition has been lauded for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and Mr. Vijayan had found favour over his handling of many issues, the recent scandals have made the party vulnerable ahead of the local body polls and the Assembly elections next year. While the Congress will be looking to come back to power in the State on the back of these scandals, these may also help the BJP strengthen its position in the State, particularly in the local body polls. This is what makes the story important. The Big Story [Coronavirus | Air pollution, cold a lethal pair for COVID-19 patients, say doctors]( [alt_text]( From the Front Page [alt_text]( [Six civilians among 11 killed in Pakistan firing at LoC]( [alt_text]( [Joe Biden wins Arizona, consolidates lead over](Trump From the Opinion Pages [alt_text]( [Bihar’s result as a new phase in backward politics]( [alt_text]( [Countdown to greater India-Canada convergence]( Today's Editorials [Purveyor of promise: On Atmanirb](ar Bharat Abhiyan 3.0 [Content tracking: On](regulation of OTT services, online news You are receiving this email because you are a user of [thehindu.com]( If you do not wish to receive any such emails, [unsubscribe here.](mailto:rm-0b4922whbf2f90kaup33rtbysa8hk8f@newsalert.thehindu.com?subject=Unsubscribe&body=You will be unsubscribed from our mailing list.) To ensure you continue to receive emails from The Hindu in your inbox, please add newsletters.th@newsalert.thehindu.com to your contact. If you can't see the mailer, please [click here.]( Group Sites [The Hindu]( | [இந்து தமிழ் திசை]( | [Business Line]( | [BL on Campus]( | [Sportstar]( | [Frontline]( | [The Hindu Centre]( | [Images]( | [roofandfloor]( | [Classifieds]( Copyright @ 2020 ,THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. [About Us]( | [Contact Us]( | [Digital Subscription](