VIJAYAWADA: As the 24th Party Congress of the CPI is set to conclude today, D Raja is likely to continue as the General Secretary. He is being given the opportunity on the grounds that his first term has not come to an end and on account of being a Dalit leader.

S Sudhakar Reddy was named the General Secretary in the last party congress held in Kollam. Raja, who was the Deputy General Secretary, assumed the post when Sudhakar Reddy stepped down due to ill health. Although several leaders, including leaders from Kerala, disagree with Raja's working style, they are of the position that he should continue for the time being. There are indications that Atul Kumar Anjan will be considered as the Deputy General Secretary.

Kerala leader KE Ismail will be removed from the National Executive Committee with the implementation of age limit of 75 years. K Prakash Babu may replace him. Prakash Babu is currently a member of the party program commission. The party may consider Ismail as an invitee to the National Council or Executive Committee without completely removing him from all posts.

Pannyan Raveendran may step down from the post of chairman of the CPI Central Control Commission. He is also likely to be an invitee to the National Council. As the chairman of the Control Commission, Pannyan is an ex-officio member of the National Executive Committee. There is a vacancy in the Control Commission following the death of CA Kurian. Someone from Kerala may be selected for it.

Change in National Council

There are 123 people in the National Council. Besides, there are 11 candidate members and 11 invitees. The council now has 11 members from Kerala, the party's largest constituency.