Former CPI(M) MLA Varadarajan is reported missing

Former CPI(M) MLA and Party Central Committee Member W R Varadarajan has been missing for the last one week following a family dispute.

While his wife, an officer with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), lodged a complaint with the Chennai City Police Commissioner that her husband was missing, the party office and the police have received two unsigned letters, that purport to be written by him, saying that his body should be handed over to a Medical College for research after his death, leaving the police in confusion.

The veteran Trade Union leader, also a former RBI officer and Union leader, who was in his late 50s, the letter suggests he had a tiff with his wife on February 12 which matter was reported by her, who is also a party activist, to the party which sacked him from all the posts held by him, including the Central Committee Membership.

The news of his disappearance comes a day after the Party Organ published the news of his getting the sack from the post of Central Committee Member for allegedly disrespecting the party leaders. He was absent the party’s state meet at Perambur recently.

That Mr Varadharajan had said in the letter that in the event of his death, his body should be handed over to a Medical College for research, suggests he might not return.

The letter also says the money left in his bank account should be handed over to the party and his personal lap top, presented by his daughter be given to the party, and his books to the party and to the CPI(M) organ ''Theekadhir.''

A firebrand orator, Mr Varadarajan, who represented Villivakkam Constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly during 1989-1991, had also served as the National Secretary of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU). He had also served as leader of the Employees Union of the New Indian Express and also the now defunct B and C Mills.

The party leaders on behalf of the State Unit had met the City Police Commissioner on February 14, urging him to take steps. They also met Director General of Police Letika Saran yesterday evening and presented a petition, demanding immediate action.

- Asian Tribune -