THRISSUR: With the ongoing CPM state conference — preceding the 22nd party congress — concluding on Sunday, it could well usher in a generation change in the party. Though there won’t be any major reshuffle in the top brass, a couple of senior leaders could be dropped due to old age. The central committee has given clear directives that those above 80 should make way for young blood.
As of now, there is no threat to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in continuing as the state secretary. However, a number of veteran leaders could gradually move backstage.The million-dollar question will be the role of veteran V S Achuthanandan, the only living communist among the 32 comrades who walked out to form the CPM. Will the party be lenient towards its only founding member alive today? Indications are that VS could be retained as an invitee.
However, there could be a number of changes as far as other senior leaders are concerned. P K Gurudasan, who is currently part of the state and central committees, could be dropped due to old age. In that case, he will be made an invitee. Similar is the case with T K Hamza.
There are indications that senior leader Vaikom Viswan, who is currently the LDF convener, could be replaced. Viswan is part of the state and central committees. In the case of state secretariat member Ananthalavattom Anandan, the party may give him one more chance.
A slew of new faces are expected to surface in the state committee. DYFI leaders Mohammed Riyaz, A N Shamzeer, former Kochi deputy mayor C K Manishankar, Bamboo Corporation chairman K J Jacob and former Ernakulam district secretary Gopi Kottamurickal are some of the possible choices.