Be in office, don't crow, CPI-M tells Kerala ministers

Thiruvanthapuram, June 12: Be in office five days a week, and don’t crow in public. These are some of the things the Communist Party of India-Marxist has told its Kerala ministers in fresh guideline. The guidelines on how they should conduct themselves have been issued to ministers and party cadres two weeks after the new state government, led by the CPI-M, took office.

Addressing reporters here on Sunday after a two-day meeting of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishn said ministers have been asked to see that their conduct is exemplary.

“All our ministers should see that they are in their offices here for five days a week. They should ensure that they do not ‘crow’ in public meetings,” said Balakrishn. “And as far as possible, private functions should be avoided. In case they cannot be avoided, the concerned district committee and the higher committees of the party should be intimated in advance.”

When ministers make comments on issues, it should be ensured that they do not deviate from the poll manifesto of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the ruling coalition, Balakrishn said.  Balakrishn said the party cadres too must behave themselves.

“The party will not become an alterte power centre and instead party workers should ensure that the policies of the government reach the people. Corruption at no levels will be tolerated and every official working in a minister’s office should see that nothing untoward is done,” added Balakrishn. The latest scrutiny of the CPI-M members shows that there are 4,49,434 members, a growth of 30,678 from last year, he said.

Asked if the guidelines are for all the ministers or only those who belong to the CPI-M, he said the party has been the first to have embraced them. In the 19-member cabinet, including Chief Minister Pirayi Vijayan, the CPI-M has 12 ministers, the CPI has four and three allies one each. Balakrishn said the government will honour all its commitments to the people and ensure that governce would be a boon for the people. (IANS)