A K Balan’s wife, P K Jameela, not to contest from Tharoor; Stephen to contest from Aruvikkara

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A K Balan’s wife P K Jameela won’t contest from Tharoor. The decision was taken by CPM state secretariat. DYFI leader P P Summod will be LDF’s candidate in Tharoor. Earlier Jameela’s candidature has set off a huge controversy.

The Palakkad district secretariat and district committee which held meetings yesterday had decided not to field PK Jameela from the Aroor seat. When the party workers themselves put up posters everywhere in Palakkad town, CPM leaders realised that her candidature could produce a detrimental effect on the party’s prospects in the district. Fielding a person as the party’s candidate, who is not even a party member, also earned the party, wrath of senior leaders also.

Summod’s name was initially suggested for the Kongad constituency. As Summod is being shifted to Tharoor, former chief of Palakkad district panchayat, K Santhakumari will contest from Kongad. Dismissing the Thiruvananthapuram district committee’s dissent, the party has also decided to field G Stephen as the party’s official candidate in Aruvikara.