THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Changing tack with changing times, youngsters, women and new faces are set to constitute the majority of the CPI candidates in the forthcoming local body polls. The two-day party state council, which concluded here on Saturday, assessed that winnability of candidates would be the primary and foremost criteria for candidate selection.
The guidelines for finalising candidates proposed by the party state executive meet and approved by the state council insist that those who have contested two times, should stay away from contesting the polls. “But, exemptions will be given if the regional unit feels that a particular candidate who had contested twice should be fielded again, considering the winning possibility. However, a decision in this regard will be taken by the immediate upper faction,” said CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran.
Briefing the decisions taken at the meet, Kanam said in addition to 50 per cent reservation for women, the party has decided to give youngsters and new faces more opportunities. As per the LDF decision, the meetings of the front would be completed before September 30 and panchayat-level meetings before October 5, while the candidate selection is expected to be over by October 10.
Munnar fiasco
As many as 50 per cent of the woman workers would be made office-bearers in the general council of the trade union in the backdrop of the Munnar issue. Following the decision taken by the state executive, the state council also asked the party and trade union leadership in Idukki to discuss the issue and come up with reports.
“At present, there are only four women among the 26 officer-bearers. It should change. In addition to the executive and council, the general body will also look into the issue,” Kanam said. Demanding a a CBI probe into the corruption charges in the Consumerfed, Kanam Rajendran said: “It’s clear that the departmental inquiry declared by the government will not yield the desired results.” He alleged that it was part of an attempt to cover up the graft.
The CPI will hold evening dharnas in all constituencies across the state on October 5 as part of its national-level agitation against the hike in prices of essential commodities. Kanam said the UDF Government had been blindly following the Modi-led Central Government’s decisions in several issues.
Seat-sharing criteria
CPI state secretary Kanam said the 2010 seat-sharing criteria would be followed this time. “Seats left vacant after RSP exited the front will be shared among the constituents based on regional factors. There won’t be any curbs on the party office-bearers to contest the polls.