Kannur: The CPM leadership has been severely embarrassed over the suicide of a businessman due to the vengeful attitude of its local leadership, particularly the woman chief of the Anthoor municipality in Kerala’s Kannur district.
The wife of expatriate businessman Sajen Parayil has reiterated that her husband killed himself last week owing to the ire of the Anthoor municipality chairperson, who was apparently peeved at him for seeking help from senior CPM leader P Jayarajan.
Sajen had sought Jayarajan's help to get the occupancy certificate from the civic body for a convention centre he had built in a 'CPM village'.
Sajen had committed suicide last Thursday after he was disillusioned with constant harassment by municipality officials, who refused to give necessary documents for the convention centre, built for Rs 18 crore.
"Ever since P Jayarajan intervened in the issue, municipal chairperson P K Shyamala acted with vengeance. Sajen had taken part in the wedding of P Jayarajan's son on June 2. Sajen doubted if this too would be used against him. He told me that a person known to Shyamala had spoken to him after the wedding, and he feared the worst. When the certificate was delayed further, Sajen considered seeking Jayarajan's help again, but decided against it. He feared that it would only increase her vengeance," his wife Beena said.
After the permit for the convention centre got delayed, Sajen had sought the help of former CPM district secretary P Jayarajan. This had apparently irked Shyamala, who is the wife of CPM central committee member M V Govindan.
"Even my father had met the municipal chairperson several times, but she even insulted the elderly man. After Sajen's death, Jayarajan had asked us why we didn't inform him about the delay in getting the certificate. Just because we sought his help once, we got into trouble. Now I am thinking that instead of seeking Jayarajan's help, we should have approached M V Govindan, then may be these many problems would not have risen,” she added.
Beena further said the 49-year-old Sajan did not commit suicide over just not getting one occupancy certificate.
"He did not kill himself over one moment's despair. Months of mental torture forced him to take the extreme step. The municipal chairperson, secretary Girish and engineer Kalesh denied permit to the Partha Convention Centre, knowing fully well that Sajen would be left with no option other than suicide. Not just the delay in getting the occupancy certificate, he feared that even after the permits would be given, he would not be able to work in peace due to the chairperson’s ego," she pointed out.
Suicide over delay in certificate?
“Several people are asking why would anyone kill himself for not getting the certificate. Sajen had used all his savings to start his venture and was apprehensive about making any revenue out of it. Then, the chairperson told him that “As long as I am the chairperson, you would not get the permit’," Beena recollected.
‘He feared for his life’
Pointing out that P K Shyamala and her husband M V Govindan had lot of influence in the area, Beena said, "Even if we did get the permit somehow, Sajen was scared that he won't be able to work in a party village like Anthoor.
"Even while trying to bypass their objection, Sajen was apprehensive that the convention centre would be attacked and his own life would be threatened as he had complained against the municipal chairperson," she recounted.
Beena, who lived in Nigeria with her husband and children, said ever since they came to Anthoor they had been listening to scary tales of houses and businesses being destroyed in party villages for going against the diktat of the regional leaders. “All these tales added to his worry. At one point, he even said that he would give the convention centre to the party and abandon his fruitless efforts,” she added.
Finally, he gave up
Beena said Sajen was very disturbed during the week preceding his suicide. "He would get out in the morning and return only late into the night. He had lost sleep over the issue. Sajen, who was a pleasant person, became a broken soul. He had estimated Rs 10 crore for building the convention centre. However, even after three years, work could not be completed due to the municipality’s opposition. And he ended up spending more.”
“Sajen told the chairperson that if the permission was not granted, he did not have any future. P K Shyamala retorted by saying “Let it stand as a symbol”. A distraught Sajen replied “If not for me, you would have to give the permit to my children”. However, he was extremely disappointed on coming home and said “Let it all rot. We would sell it off. I can't go behind all this any more.”
Seeing Sajen's desperation, Beena said she offered to go and beg to Shyamala for the permit. "Sajen never liked to drag me into business matters. But that day, he asked if I would go. Then he said “No need, will not get the permit no matter who goes”.
Criminal case
Beena said that the CPM leaders, who visited her home, had assured her of action against the municipal chairperson. "I believe them. However, disciplinary action by the party or removing her from chairperson position would not be enough. A case should be filed against her and she should be slapped with charges of abetment of suicide. Her act of vengeance was the reason for his suicide.”
'For the love of my land'
The mother of two pointed out that she had been left with several responsibilities post her husband’s death.
"It's been a week since Sajen died. No one is talking about the denial of permit to the convention centre. Mine was a small world, comprising my husband and children. Now, it's for me to take up from where he had left”.
“I need to look after the Rs 18-crore convention centre and take care of the education of my two children. My children and I preferred to live in Nigeria. But Sajen urged us to return, with hopes of living on the land he loved. We returned four years ago. And in the last three years, he had to endure so much. Is this what the land he loved gave him in return?” the hapless woman sought to know.
