THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior leader G Sudhakaran has sent a letter to the party pleading to drop him from the state committee. He wrote a letter to the party secretary and the chief minister stating that he does not want to continue in the state committee.

Speculations were rife that Sudhakaran would get concessions at a time when the party brought in an age cap of 75 years. In the meantime, he submitted a letter stating that he is not interested in continuing. Meantime, the CPM leadership is of the view that G Sudhakaran cannot be removed.

Criticisms were showered against him within the party. A representative in Ambalapuzha had criticized that there was a move to defeat H Salam in the assembly elections. A representative in Mavelikkara termed Sudhakaran as a ‘power seeker’.

Sudhakaran was also criticised for supporting K Raghavan, accused of bribery in connection with the Padanilam school. Considering all these, he wrote to the party secretary and the chief minister asserting that he cannot continue in the state committee and to drop him.

As per the decision of the central committee, the upper age limit for members of the state committee was fixed at 75 this time. Although Pinarayi Vijayan is above the age, he will get relief as the chief minister. However, the party is waiting to see whether MLA M M Mani will be in the state committee.

Meantime, Anathalavattom Anandan, senior member of the state secretariat, hoisted the flag marking the beginning of the state meet. Party general secretary Sitaram Yechury will soon inaugurate the representatives meet.