THRISSUR: Though master orator and critic Sukumar Azhikode was laid to rest on the Payyambalam beach, Kannur, on Wednesday, the controversy that followed his death refuses to die down. Despite the fact that the row over his cremation was solved at a meeting attended by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy soon after his death, there were allegations that the CPM played a vital role in holding Azhikode’s last rites in Kannur.DCC president V Balaram said: “The people and close friends of Azhikode had wished that his last rites be held here, but it was the CPM that played a key role to shift the venue to Payyambalam.” “Anyhow, the Left leaders were reluctant to visit ailing Azhikode while he was in hospital bed. Azhikode didn’t have any inclination towards a particular party though,” he added. The political indifference was visible on Tuesday itself at the Sahitya Akademi Hall, where the mortal remains of Azhikode were kept till 4 pm to enable the public to pay homage. Most of theCongress leaders had left the venue soon after the Chief Minister acceded to the wish of Azhikode’s kin who wanted the cremation to be held in Kannur, after which the CPM took the centre stage.CPM Thrissur district secretary A C Moideen said: “We have not interfered in the matter in any manner. The allegation against the CPM in this regard is totally politically motivated.” Writer Sara Joseph said: “This is not the right time to discuss such things. So I don’t wish to make any comment on this matter now.”Azhikode was close to the Congress in his early life and in the 1960s. He even contested the Lok Sabha polls as a Congress candidate successfully. But, later he distanced from the Congress and was seen getting closer to the Left.
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