THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM has started preparations for the Puthupally by-election. As part of this, the responsibility of the panchayats in the constituency was divided among the party's state secretariat and committee members.

State Secretariat members PK Biju was given charge of Vakathanam Panchayat and KK Jayachandran was given charge of Pampady and Meenadam Panchayats.

Senior leader KJ Thomas, a special invitee in the state committee, was given the charge of Akalakunnam and Ayarkunnam panchayats. State committee members K Anil Kumar was given charge of Manarkkad and Puthupally panchayats and AV Russell of Kooropada panchayat.

Former SFI leader Jake C. Thomas, who contested against Oommen Chandy last time, was instructed to focus on Manarkkad panchayat. After two weeks, a meeting will be held attended by party state secretary MV Govindan. State leaders will also participate. A meeting will be held at branch levels from today to review the election activities. It has been decided not to enter into candidate selection discussions now.