VS should contest Assembly polls

The available CPM politburo meeting held here on Friday has decided that Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan should contest the assembly elections schedule on April 13. A meeting of the available members of PB met today morning considering the mounting protests in Kerala against the CPM’s decision to deny party ticket to VS.

The available Politburo’s decision has been conveyed to the state leadership. The state secretariat currently in session is expected to make a decision in this regard. This is the second time that CPI (M) is forced to have a re-think on Achuthanandan.

As protests against the decision reached new magnitudes even the central leadership of the party appeared a divided house with majority of the national leaders supporting Achuthanandan.

It is learnt that some members expressed their displeasure over the way party general secretary Prakash Karat, who attended the state secretariat and state committee meets along with another member S Ramachandran Pillai, remained a silent spectator during the whole process.

Several district committees (DCs) of the CPM, to which the “decision of VS not to contest” was officially conveyed, expressed dismay at the development. Some supporters of even Pinarayi expressed reservations at keeping VS away from the poll scene since he was instrumental in ‘exposing’ UDF.

The Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki and Kollam DCs were particularly peeved at the turn of events at this hour. Members said that Achuthanandan’s absence would certainly have a bearing on the outcome of the elections and it could have been avoided. However, the State Committee leaders claimed that it was Achuthanandan’s own decision not to contest because of ill-health.

Demonstrations were taken out in several parts of the state on Wednesday and Thursday against the CPM leadership though not on a scale that was seen when the party stunned everyone by denying a seat to VS in 2006. It was later reviewed and Achuthanandan not only led the LDF to victory but also became chief minister.

In the last assembly polls in 2006, the party had denied a seat to VS, but the Politburo was forced to revoke its decision after strong protests broke out in the state.