CPM not deterred by criticisms; second innings for M V Govindan, P Sasi and P Jayarajan excluded in state secretariat

KOLLAM: M V Govindan will continue as the CPM state secretary. M V Govindan took over as secretary on August 28, 2022, following the demise of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Although criticisms were showered at the party secretary at the CPM meet, he replied to those criticisms in his reply speech on Saturday. While replying he said that no one opined on his statement that there was no place for alcoholics.

The first meeting of the new state committee will select M V Govindan as the state secretary again. This time, he will be elected to the post of secretary for the first time through the meet. The age limit will come into effect when 72-year-old Govindan reaches the next meet.

Meantime, K K Shailaja, M V Jayarajan and C N Mohanan have been included in the 17-member secretariat. However, leaders M B Rajesh, P Jayarajan, Kadakampally Surendran, K P Udayabhanu and P Sasi were not considered. The CPM has selected an 89-member state committee. 17 new faces have been included. S Jayamohan (Kollam), M Prakashan Master (Kannur), V K Sanoj (Kannur), V Wasif (Kozhikode), K Shanthakumari (Palakkad), R Bindu (Thrissur), M Anilkumar (Ernakulam), K Prasad (Alappuzha), B R Raghunath (Kottayam), D K Murali (Thiruvananthapuram), M Rajagopal (Kasarcode), K Rafeeq (Wayanad), M Mehboob (Kozhikode), VP Anil (Malappuram), KV Abdul Khader (Thrissur) etc are the new faces selected for the state committee.

However, no one from Pathanamthitta has been included in the state committee. Although there were indications that Minister Veena George would be included, she has been included in the state committee as an invitee. John Brittas has been included in the state committee. However, Susan Kody was eliminated following the factionalism in Karunagappally.