Mohammed Riyas not in central committee; DL Karad stokes unprecedented voting against CC panel

MADURAI: The CPM party congress witnessed unusual scenes after leaders from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh went against the new central committee panel. Maharashtra-based leader D L Karad demanded a poll, citing the need for more representation of grassroots workers. The UP state secretary also demanded a poll.

Meanwhile, 19 Malayalees were elected to the CPM's new central committee panel, making the total new faces in the committee 30. The 85-member central committee includes 15 women. Seven will serve as special invitees, including Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. Kerala minister Mohammed Riyas was not included in the central committee.

Except for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, all leaders over the age of 75 have resigned from the CPM Politburo. Former General Secretary and current PB Coordinator Prakash Karat, Subhashini Ali, Brinda Karat Manik Sarkar, Suryakant Mishra, and G Ramakrishnan were excluded from the PB due to age criteria.

PK Sreemathy will continue in the CPM Central Committee. Brinda and Prakash Karat will be permanent invitees in the Politburo. S Ramachandran Pillai and Manik Sarkar will be invitees in the Central Committee.