Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM), which is still reeling under the crushing defeat suffered in the recent Lok Sabha election, has been dealt two blows over the week, putting the party in a fix.

One of them involves the party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, whose son Binoy Kodiyeri is facing an allegation of cheating. A Mumbai-based woman who is a native of Bihar says she had been in a relationship with Binoy and has a child from the relationship, and that Binoy had cheated her.

On Saturday, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan reportedly offered to step down from his position though the allegation against his son is a personal matter between Binoy and the woman. Reports indicate that the CPM is indecisive about asking the senior Kodiyeri to step down for fear of that move giving an impression of admission of guilt in the abuse case filed against Binoy.

On the other hand, some leaders believe that by asking Balakrishnan to step down, the party would send out the positive message that no one in the party can violate principles, thereby giving an image upgrade for the embattled party.

The second development, the suicide of non-resident Indian (NRI) businessman, who apparently took his life because of red-tapism in the Anthoor municipality that is governed by the CPM, is a double blow for the party: It gives a message that the CPM puts up hurdles in front of prospective investors, and that the state government is unable to keep its promise of ensuring an enabling environment for investment in the state.

Sajan Parayil, 49, an NRI businessman who made his fortune in Nigeria, had invested Rs160 million (Dh8.4 million) in a convention centre in Anthoor, but the municipal authorities delayed approval for the building, citing one reason after another.

Parayil petitioned officials in the municipality numerous times, but when the approval was not forthcoming, he took his life earlier this week. His wife accused the civic officials of dragging their feet in the matter, leading to her husband’s death.

The NRI’s death led to Anthoor municipality chairperson P.K. Shailaja offering to quit. Earlier, the Kannur district committee of the CPM had summoned her and sought an explanation regarding Parayil’s suicide. She has denied any role in the incident, but the suicide has led to a dent in the CPM’s image.