The CPI-M circles are discreetly discussing the possibility of party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan standing down from his position as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is widening the scope of its investigations into the role of his Bineesh Kodiyeri in the drugs, havala racket as well as gold smuggling. Although the state unit of the party as well as the central leadership had expressed complete support in Kodiyeri’s hour of crisis, a section of the state leadership believes that a change would be in order in view of the local body and later assembly elections.

The party central secretariat had last week taken the stand that the leaders are not responsible for the questionable conduct of their children in declaring support to the state party secretary. But Kodiyeri’s position is becoming increasingly untenable as ED and now Narcotics Control Bureau as well as the income tax department tightening the screws on Bineesh Kodiyeri. It is in this context that the option of Kodiyeri stepping down is being actively discussed. More importantly, he is learnt to be willing to do that.

The party state secretariat and state committee are meeting at the weekend to take things forward. The two names being thrown up as replacement are that of S Ramachandran Pillai or Govindan Master as Kodiyeri is expected to be granted leave on health grounds. Meanwhile, teams of Enforcement Directorate and income tax have reached Thiruvananthapuram for further investigations in Bineesh’s house as well as his business establishments. The investigating agencies have come to the conclusion that Bineesh made transactions running into several crores although he has had limited sources of income.

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Bineesh Kodiyeri remitted huge unaccounted funds into drug peddler's a/c: ED