CPM discusses candidate list, no rush to release names

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has decided that there is no need to rush the release of its candidate list as the election announcement has been delayed. The state committee discussed the list of candidates submitted by the district secretariats on Thursday. Only minor changes were suggested in a few constituencies.

On Friday morning, district secretariats in all districts will meet to finalise the list, followed by district committee meetings in the afternoon. The final list will be approved by the state leadership meeting scheduled to take place in two days. The state committee meeting, attended by party General Secretary M. A. Baby, did not discuss the issue related to G. Sudhakaran.

Apart from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, ten current ministers are expected to contest the election. They include P. Rajeev (Kalamassery), K. N. Balagopal (Kottarakkara), V. N. Vasavan (Ettumanoor), Saji Cherian (Chengannur), M. B. Rajesh (Thrithala), P. A. Mohamed Riyas (Beypore), Veena George (Aranmula), R. Bindu (Irinjalakuda), O. R. Kelu (Mananthavady), and V. Sivankutty (Nemom).

No decision has been taken on whether CPM state secretariat member M. Swaraj will contest the election. A section of the party leadership had expressed interest in fielding him, but the issue was not discussed in the secretariat or state committee meetings.

Although A. C. Moideen had expressed willingness to step aside from the contest, he is likely to be the party’s candidate in Kunnamkulam. Former education minister C. Ravindranath is likely to contest from Manalur, while K. N. Unnikrishnan may contest from Tripunithura.

A final decision has not been taken on fielding Dr. P. Sarin, who joined the CPM after leaving the Congress and contested the Palakkad by-election. His candidature may be decided once the situation in other constituencies becomes clear.

Shamseer, Mani will not contest
The party has decided not to field Speaker A. N. Shamseer, former minister M. M. Mani, and CPM state secretary M. V. Govindan in the election. Although the Alappuzha district secretariat had recommended the name of district secretary R. Naser for the Kayamkulam constituency, he has not been allowed to contest. Instead, U. Prathibha will be the candidate. The family of minister Veena George had earlier requested that she be excluded from contesting, but the decision was later changed. In Ponnani, former PSC chairman and current Kerala Waqf Board chairperson M. K. Sakeer will contest instead of sitting MLA P. Nandakumar.

P K Sasi removed from CITU
Following his expulsion from the CPM, P. K. Sasi has also been removed from the post of state vice president and primary membership of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). The decision was taken at a CITU leadership meeting held on Thursday.