ALAPPUZHA: Senior CPM leader and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan's nephew Peethambaran has joined Congress. Peethambaran is the son of Achuthanandan's elder brother Gangadharan.

Peethambaran, a former CPM activist, had left the party some years ago over the CITU's 'Nokku kooli' issue. Though he later joined the CPI, he did not stay there for long.

Peethambaran was welcomed into the Congress under the leadership of Adv. M Liju, UDF candidate in Ambalapuzha. Peethambaran said that he would work for Liju's victory in the elections.