CPM shifts strategy in Tripunithura: Swaraj out, other faces considered 

KOCHI: Reports say M Swaraj will not contest from Tripunithura constituency in the assembly elections. The latest information is that the state leadership has rejected the district leadership's demand for Swaraj. There are also indications that the CPM has decided to field Vypin MLA K N Unnikrishnan to capture Tripunithura. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding this. Former Kochi mayor Anil Kumar was also not considered. M B Shiny will be the candidate in Vypin. Shiny is the district secretary of the Mahila Association. The list of candidates will be finalized at the secretariat tomorrow.

Meantime, although the Congress's list of candidates for the assembly elections is not yet finalized, there is little chance of a significant increase in women's representation. Uma Thomas is the only woman among sitting MLAs.

Women Congress leaders Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman are sure to be included in the list of candidates for the post. As there is a decision to field all sitting MLAs (except Palakkad and Tripunithura constituencies), women will not be able to contest in 19 seats. Although it was heard that former minister Jayalakshmi would be considered in Mananthavady, she was eliminated in the last round. As I C Balakrishnan opposed Jayalakshmy’s candidature in Sultan Bathery, there are chances for Mananthavady Block Panchayat president Usha Vijayan to contest here.