Kannur: Politburo member Brinda Karat has called for renewed discussions and debates on the Sabarimala issue.

Karat, who had earlier said that "every woman has the right to worship if they so wish", has, however, backed the LDF government in Kerala saying they were only trying to implement the Supreme Court's verdict in the name of gender equality.

The response comes at a time the party has acknowledged that the Sabarimala issue dented its traditional vote bank, especially during the Parliamentary elections.

The issue was mentioned in the organisational report presented at the ongoing 23rd CPM Party Congress in Kannur.

"The right of women to go to the temple is a verdict the Supreme Court had upheld and the Kerala government had made it very clear that we were only trying to uphold and implement the same," said Karat.

"On such issues where there are different types of sentiments involved, it is something that has to be resolved through discussion and debate," she added.

Karat also said that as the controversy centres around a place of worship, the resolution will depend on the stance women devotees adopt.

Meanwhile, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, speaking to Manorama on the issue, said: "Nothing can stop us (the party) from following and implementing what are our convictions. That men and women are equal is a conviction the party refuses to dilute."