CPM leader and former panchayat president V K Krishnan allegedly committed suicide by jumping into backwaters from a passenger boat. In a suicide note, which he had reportedly handed over to a co-passenger before jumping off the boat, he has accused the local leadership of CPI(M) of harassing him over the issue of factionalism.
Krishnan, who was the former president of Elamkunnapuzha panchayat, Kerala, had reportedly lost his post after BJP supported the no-confidence motion put forward by Congress on 31st May. However, he said this is not the reason for his suicide. “I am committing the extreme step not because of worry over losing the presidentship. Elamkunnappuzha local committee had been trying to smoke me out,” the letter by Krishnan reads.
He has alleged that the local committee meet tried to oust him. He was in the forefront of the protest by VS faction when factionalism was at its peak in the party.
Krishnan’s body has been handed over to his family members after a post-mortem at the general hospital in Ernakulam, police said.
A member of gram panchayat, T K Babu expressed shock at Krishnan’s extreme step and said that he took part in the discussions and was present in the meeting that took place on Tuesday till evening. He said that he did not appear to be under mental stress. The CPI(M) has rejected the allegation.