The CPi(M)’s leadership has acted decisively against Kerala chief minister V.S. Achuthanan-dan, denying him a party nomination even at the risk of the Left losing a few seats in the crucial April 13 Assembly polls in the state. Controversial state party secretary Pinarayi Viajayan is also out of the fray.
The party’s state secretariat, after a marathon five-hour meeting, chose home minister and politburo member Kodiyeri Balak-rishnan to lead the CPI(M)’s campaign. Mr Balakrishnan, who will seek re-election from Thalassery in northern Kannur, will also lead the Left Democratic Front.
Small but spontaneous rallies erupted in a few places across the state by Mr Achuthanandan’s supporters, but it is too early to say if this will snowball as it did in 2006 when the politburo had denied Mr Achuthanandan a ticket.
The state secretariat meeting was attended by CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai. While a majority of members backed the secretariat decision, a few came out in support of Mr Achuthanandan.
The CM, looking glum, said: “They (leaders) will tell you all that needs to be told.” But whether voters will endorse the CPI(M)’s choice remains to be seen.