THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM is gearing up for a major overhaul at the administrative and organizational levels following the radical changes in the state secretariat. There are indications that P Sasi, who returned to the state committee, will be made the political secretary to the chief minister, while current political secretary Puthalath Dinesh will be made the chief editor of the party newspaper.

The changes will be made after the CPM party congress in Kannur in April. However, CPM sources said that the party has not begun any such discussions.

P Sasi was the political secretary to the CM when EK Nayanar was the CM in 1996. Sasi, who was expelled from the party following a harassment controversy, returned to the CPM state committee after a gap of 10 years.

It is the political secretary who handles police affairs. The party is contemplating a revamp in the wake of the widespread criticisms raised against the police force at party conventions.

Left Front Convener A Vijayaraghavan is also likely to become a politburo member following the Kannur party congress. Vijayaraghavan will be replacing S Ramachandran Pillai to become part of the All India Centre. In that situation, Vijayaraghavan might also be considered for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat.

The notification for three vacancies was issued yesterday. The terms of AK Antony, K Somaprasad and MV Shreyams Kumar expire in April. According to the strength in the assembly, the Left Front will get two seats and the UDF one.

Congress is likely to take over the seat won by the UDF. There are indications that the Lok Tantric Janata Dal itself will once again claim one of the seats of the Left Front. The CPI may also demand a seat. However, in the context of the new national situation, the CPM itself may take over both.