Govindan & Baby's presence ignite propriety questions

T'PURAM: As a prelude to the visit by an official delegation led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan to Cuba next month, CM and state officials met Cuban ambassador Alejandro Simancas Marin and deputy chief of mission from Cuba to India Abel Aballe Despaigne in New Delhi on April 29. Official government representatives at the meet included Vijayan, chief secretary VP Joy and officer on special duty for the state government Venu Rajamony.
Minutes of the meeting (accessed by TOI) showed that CPM state secretary M V Govindan and politburo member MA Baby took part in discussions . Participation of political representatives, who do not hold official positions in the government, in an official discussion between government and officials of another country raises questions about the propriety in selecting participants for such a meeting.
"Foreign delegations may include political representatives as it is their discretion to include people of their choice. But party leaders taking part in official government meetings without being part of any delegation is unheard of," said a senior government official on condition of anonymity.
Experts also said that there are existing rules and protocols for bilateral meetings, deviations can happen. External relations per se fall in the domain of the Centre. That said, there was always a tolerant view that was taken, traditionally, which is perfectly understandable in a country that vows by 'cooperative federalism', said former Indian foreign service officer M K Bhadrakumar.
The meeting was held to explore areas where Cuba and Kerala could cooperate, including setting up a panchakarma centre in Havana, sharing research studies about moringa plant , collaborations in health sector, collaboration between Technopark and Digital University with Havana Science and Technology Park and cooperation in rum production. A draft MoU was prepared on cooperation in the health sector.
While it is being explored whether Kerala and Cuba can cooperate on multiple sectors, presence of party representatives raised questions, though it is evident that it could be Communist solidarity and interest that would have led to their presence.