Amidst speculations that her participation in an event of the Balagokulam, affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Sunday could cost dearly to Kozhikode Mayor Beena Philip, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leadership has scotched the rumours that the party is planning to replace her.
A section of the media has brought in a precedence in the CPI(M) in a similar case involving former Kollam Mayor N. Padmalochanan, who had lost his post and was suspended from the party for inaugurating a reception committee office of the RSS in connection with its State-level meeting.
With the issue triggering a controversy, the CPI(M) district leadership publicly denounced Ms. Philip's stand in a statement on Monday. Some of her remarks at the programme were also cited as contrary to the party policy and were disapproved by the district secretariat.
