THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday praised Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who resigned from the post of CPM state secretary. Pinarayi Vijayan's comments came in the state committee. "Kodiyeri is a great comrade. He became active in the Thrikkakara election without even looking at his health. But his health is important now", Vijayan said.

The party had decided to appoint MV Govindan as the CPM state secretary after Kodiyeri Balakrishnan resigned due to ill health. The decision was taken in the CPM state committee.

"In the event that Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is unable to perform the duties of the CPM State Secretary, MV Govindan has been selected as the party secretary by the state committee meeting today."- the party informed through a press release.

The state committee meeting chaired by LDF convener EP Jayarajan was attended by party general secretary Sitaram Yechury, PB members Prakash Karat, Pinarayi Vijayan, MA Baby, A Vijayaraghavan and others.