K K Shailaja's candidacy in doubt; CPM mulls dumping term limit to ensure LDF 3.0

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM is intensifying its campaign to secure a third term in power in Kerala. The Congress, meanwhile, is already into candidate discussions based on its stunning victory in the local body elections. The political situation in Kerala is at the moment favouring Congress. Assessing this situation, CPM found the only way to subdue Congress would be to present a better candidate line-up by relaxing the term limit and bringing back senior leaders who were former ministers in the first Pinarayi Vijayan government.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will lead the front by contesting for the third time from the party fortress of Dharmadom. State Secretary M.V. Govindan will not contest from Taliparamba. After assessing the reasons for the defeat in the local body elections, CPM is preparing to give seats to MLAs, bypassing the term limit. Meanwhile, it is reported that former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac will seek the mandate from Alappuzha or Aroor.

Former MLA James Mathew and P Jayarajan are being considered for the Taliparamba seat. If RJD leaves LDF, Jayarajan will also be considered for Koothuparamba instead of KP Mohanan. EP Jayarajan and MV Jayarajan may also contest the assembly polls. Meanwhile, it is not certain whether KK Shailaja, who won from Mattanur with a record majority, will be allowed relaxation this time.

Speaker A.N. Shamseer is also unlikely to get a relaxation from Thalassery. It is indicated that only Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will get a relaxation from the two-term rule limit in the constituencies of Kannur district, which are the party's strongholds. Only sitting MLAs from constituencies that are not traditionally strongholds will get a relaxation from the term rule. LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan is unlikely to seek a mandate from Perambra this time.