P. Jayarajan Dismisses CPI(M) Discontent Claims Over M.V. Govindan’s Astrologer Visit

Fast Summary

• CPI(M) leader P. Jayarajan has refuted reports of internal criticism against State secretary M.V. Govindan for visiting astrologer Madhava poduval.
• Mr. Govindan had clarified that no such criticism occurred within the party’s State committee, according to Mr. Jayarajan.
• A controversy emerged after media circulated a photograph of Mr. Govindan’s meeting wiht the astrologer at Taliparamba, taken months prior to the inauguration of the new AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
• The meeting reportedly stemmed from long-standing personal ties between Mr. Govindan and Mr. Poduval dating back to their Kerala State Youth Federation days.
• Madhava Poduval,an astrologer with over five decades of experience,is known for his cross-political connections,having met BJP leaders such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former karnataka chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The controversy surrounding M.V. Govindan’s visit to an astrologer reflects a broader cultural dimension in Indian politics where personal beliefs and traditions sometimes intersect with public perception and party ideology-especially meaningful for parties like CPI(M) rooted in rationalist principles. While P.Jayarajan’s dismissal of internal dissent underscores CPI(M)’s attempt to manage narratives proactively, it also signals sensitivity toward optics that may appear ideologically incongruous or politically contentious given the rising discourse on faith influencing political conduct across parties in India.

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