K K Shailaja Teacher in Vadakara, Thomas Isaac in Pathanamthitta; CPM faces tough challenge ahead of LS polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It will be a do-or-die battle for CPM in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as the party fear the prospect of losing its national party status if it fails to increase the number of MPs this time. With CPM not winning any MLAs in Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat assembly elections, the national party status is now teetering on the edge.

Considering this, CPM is adamant about fielding only candidates with a high win possibility. CPM in Kerala is thus involved in a tedious candidate selection process for the elections. The names raised in the secretariat will be forwarded to the state leadership.

Considering the present political climate, Kerala gives hope for CPM and apart from the state, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Tripura are also expected to give favourable results.

In many constituencies, informal agreement has been reached on candidate selection. In Kasaragod, All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Dr. Vijukrishnan’s candidacy is almost certain. In Kannur, former minister P K Sreemathy will be the priority selection, but the name of former Kerala University Union Chairperson Sukanya is being heard.

In Vadakara, former minister K.K. Shailaja and Elamaram Kareem from Kozhikode are likely to be candidates. In Alathur, Minister K Radhakrishnan will compete.

Brahmakulath D Devassy may contest from Chalakudy while there are also plans to place actress Manju Warrier as a left independent candidate.

In Pathanamthitta, former minister Dr Thomas Isaac is almost certain while A M Arif will contest for the second time from Alappuzha. Albeit being a staunch critic of CPM in recent times, G Sudhakaran may stand a chance to contest from Kollam. If not for Sudhakaran, the name of P. Aisha Potty is also heard.