NEW DELHI: There is no replacement for Sitaram Yechury as general secretary for the time being. Instead, the central committee today decided to appoint former general secretary Prakash Karat as the coordinator of CPM’s politburo and central committee, in Delhi. The appointment is until the 24th Party Congress to be held in April next year. Many members in the PB and the Central Committee took the stand that the permanent general secretary can be elected in the party congress.

The party congress to be held at Madurai in Tamil Nadu in April will elect a new general secretary. Until then, the day-to-day affairs and organizational preparations for the party congress will be in charge of a temporary system comprising PB members. Prakash Karat has been given the responsibility of supervising the PB members.

Sitaram Yechury's sudden demise was when he was about to step down as general secretary after completing three terms at the CPM Party Congress to be held in Madurai from April 2 to 6. There were reports earlier that either Prakash Karat or Vrinda Karat may be given the charge of acting general secretary. The draft political resolution and organizational document to be presented at the party congress will be discussed in the central committee on Sunday and Monday.