CPM sets example: All 14 new district secretaries from backward, Muslim and Christian communities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the first time in the history of the CPM in Kerala, the new secretaries elected in all fourteen districts are from backward, Muslim and Christian communities. CPM's new experiment comes at a time when there are strong allegations that the state Congress leadership is completely ignoring backward classes including Ezhavas in the organization and selection of candidates. The ratio is Ezhavas- 9, Muslims- 3, Christians- 2.

CPM leadership claims that organizational ability and leadership skills are the criteria, regardless of caste and religion. However, the goal is to bring together the backward and minority communities, including the Ezhavas, who are distancing themselves from the party in the context of the upcoming local body and assembly elections.

It is assessed that this is a planned move to prevent votes from going to the BJP, as happened in the last parliamentary elections. Party centres say that the new district secretaries are capable of bringing back those who have distanced themselves from the party for various reasons, correcting mistakes and moving forward. The party will also make a concerted effort under the leadership of the new secretaries to prevent vote leakage.

With the CPM state conference scheduled to be held in Kollam next month, the question that arises is whether these groups will receive appropriate representation in the new state committee, state secretariat, and subsequent candidate selection.

Six people over the age limit in state committee

The practice of excluding those who have completed 75 years of age may apply to six people in the current CPM state committee. Anavoor Nagappan, K Varadarajan, P Rajendran, S Rajendran, CM Dinesh Mani and Gopi Kottamurikkal are those who have completed the age limit. Party central committee member EP Jayarajan will complete 75 years of age in May after the state conference and state committee member M Vijayakumar will complete 75 years of age in October. The state committee will decide whether to give them another term. The party central committee will decide whether to grant relaxation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is 79 years old and a member of the Politburo.