The CPM leadership at the center feels that the loss of a minister in the state is a gain in disguise for the party. It is of the opinion that the loss would restore the image and credence of the party. While the role of the central leadership was significant, the part played by the state leadership was not less important.
According to central leaders, the firm stance of state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and the support given to it by Pinarayi Vijayan was needed to ensure E.P. Jayarajan’s exit from the cabinet. Kodiyeri is believed to have hardened his stance after he received a letter from general secretary Sitaram Yechury calling for strict action and corrective measures to restore the image of the party.
A formal letter from Yechury was needed since the task at hand was to oust an important leader from Kannur, who is also CM Pinarayi Vijayan's confidant.
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The letter from the party general secretary made it clear that nothing short of E.P. Jayarajan's resignation would do. Central leaders Prakash Karat and S. Ramachandran Pillai wanted to ensure that the intervention of the center would not in any way attenuate the influence of the state unit of the party.
Known Pinarayi backers, they were perhaps put off by the general secretary's comment to the media that the central leadership would review the state unit's decision if it fell short of expectations.
There were doubts whether the CM would back the resignation of his next-in-command in the ministry.
When the central leadership asserted that the resignation of the minister was the best move forward, Pinarayi did not seem to have a second opinion on it.
He is also believed to have instructed the Vigilance Director to let the law take its own course in the matter.
The way the resignation was handled-without much fuss and fury-is also being appreciated as the victory and influence of the state leadership.
Party leaders have admitted that the situation of the Bengal unit of the party, which has been alienated from the people now, had influenced the decision in Kerala.
Now the question is what action would be taken at the organizational level against E.P. Jayarajan and P.K. Sreemathi, both members of the central committee.
Next month's politburo and the CC meeting in December are expected to come up with a final decision on this. The leaders could be chastised for their behavior.
While a senior leader opined that a public censure itself is sufficient, another leader said that the party could make a final decision after assessing how the people react to the resignation.