RMP LEADER’S WIFE BEGINS FAST

K.K. Rema, wife of murdered Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader T.P. Chandrasekharan, began an indefinite fast in front of the Secretariat here on Monday to press for a CBI inquiry into the ‘conspiracy’ that led to her husband’s murder.

Ms. Rema, who reached the capital on Sunday night with her father K.K. Madhavan, arrived before the Secretariat at the head of a march by RMP activists and fellow travellers, after offering floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Column.

However, in his speech marking the beginning of the fast, RMP leader N. Venu accused the CPI(M) of having pulled all stops to shield Chandrasekharan’s killers and cover up the party’s ‘links’ with the brutal killing.

Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan who, as Home Minister, had overseen the investigation in the sensational case, called on Ms. Rema at the venue of the fast along with United Democratic Front (UDF) legislators.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Radhakrishnan said there was full justification for Ms. Rema’s demand and hoped that the conspiracy case registered by the Chombal police would also be investigated.

Calling on Ms. Rema later in the day, senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran said a decision on CBI inquiry should not be delayed further.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader O. Rajagopal and leaders of parties such as the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also arrived before the Secretariat to declare solidarity with Ms. Rema.

Writer and activist Sara Joseph, social activist B.R.P. Bhaskar also joined Ms. Rema as she began her fast.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan dubbed Ms. Rema’s fast as one organised according to a script prepared by the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) for announcing the CBI probe after the next Cabinet meeting, he said and added that the fast would have no impact on the party.