Thiruvananthapuram is buzzing with political activity as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) gears up for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. On Saturday, the party’s 17-member state secretariat convened its crucial meeting, marking the formal start of candidate selection.
This high-stakes gathering is expected to finalize the initial list of probable candidates. Party insiders view it as the opening salvo in a meticulous internal process designed to fortify their campaign against stiff competition.
The secretariat will first identify contenders from within its ranks. Once shortlisted, these names will be forwarded to district committees for vetting and approval. District-level endorsements will then loop back to the state leadership for the ultimate green light, ensuring a robust and consensus-driven slate.
Heavyweights in attendance include Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and five cabinet ministers: P.A. Mohammed Riyas, Saji Cherian, K.N. Balagopal, P. Rajeev, and V.N. Vasavan. The roster also features state secretary M.V. Govindan, former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja, and LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan—all sitting MLAs.
Senior leaders like Thomas Isaac, E.P. Jayarajan, M.V. Jayarajan, M. Swaraj, K.K. Jayachandran, Puthalath Dinesh, P.K. Biju, and C.N. Mohanan round out the panel. Central committee members C.S. Sujatha, K.S. Saleeka, and P. Sathi Devi are also under consideration. Speculation swirls around whether veterans P.K. Sreemathi and Elamaram Karim will secure spots.
CPI(M) eyes a historic third term, but recent setbacks loom large. The drubbing in December’s local body polls saw the party relinquish control over traditional strongholds, retaining just one of six municipal corporations—a sharp drop from five in 2020.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, CPI(M) contested 75 seats in the 140-member house, clinching 62. Leadership remains vigilant, determined to reclaim momentum and steer Kerala through another mandate.