KOLLAM: As the CPM district conference is set to commence here on Monday, the CPM leadership will be keen on avoiding a contest. The district is known as a strong bastion of the V S Achuthanandan loyalists, but the official faction which had gained strength after the completion of the area conferences, will be attempting to gain an upper hand in the new district committee. However, sources said that the state leadership will be keen to avoid a contest ensuring fresh representation from both factions in the district committee through a consensus.
Party sources indicated that considering the present political atmosphere, there would not be replacement for K Rajagopal, as the district secretary.
If the state leadership directs a replacement for Rajagopal, who has completed his third term in office, former Member of Parliament P Rajendran seems to be an obvious choice to fill the post.
However, Rajendran’s election to the post may face some opposition for his being known as a Pinarayi Vijayan loyalist and the VS faction may come up with other names to the post.
Vacancies of four members in the 43-member district committee are to be filled in the district committee. The seats previously occupied by Karinganoor Murali, M Gangadhara Kurup, D Radhakrishnan and N Padmalochanan are the ones lying vacant.