CPM aims for Palakkad coup with K Binumol

PALAKKAD: Amidst heated debates on candidate selection in Palakkad by-polls, CPM has zeroed in on district Panchayat President K. Binumol as the candidate. In the district secretariat meeting held yesterday, Binumol’s name gained momentum among workers and was supported by a big section. She is a district committee member of the CPM and a state executive member of the All India Democratic Women's Association.

She is the daughter-in-law of late CPM leader E K Imbichi Bava. Apart from Binumol, district Panchayat member Safdar Sharif's name is also being considered. At the same time, the UDF camp is working tirelessly to keep the former bastion of Shafi Parambil intact. The name of Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil was floated, but many raised dissent.

The names of VT Balram and Dr. P. Sarin are also being considered as candidates. Senior Congress Leader K. Muraleedharan's name is also under consideration. K. Surendran, C. Krishnakumar and Shobha Surendran were considered in the Palakkad candidate panel at the BJP Core Committee held in Kochi on Wednesday.

The next day's meeting of state leaders will finalize the panel and forward the list to the Central Parliamentary Committee. The party is now in a dilemma as one section demands K Surendran contest while others strongly back Sobha Surendran to easily script a win in the conducive soil of Palakkad.