THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Taking a cue from its lead partner in the LDF, the CPM, the CPI has decided to rely on its veterans to regain its lost glory in the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala. Old warhorse Pannian Ravindran, ministers K Rajan and G R Anil, former ministers V S Sunil Kumar and K P Rajendran, and Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar are among the probables the party has zeroed in on for the four seats it’s contesting in the state.
National Federation of Indian Women general secretary Annie Raja and former MLA Sathyan Mokeri are being considered for the Wayanad seat, where sitting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is expected to try his luck again. AIYF leader C A Arun Kumar is the favourite to take on seven-time MP Kodikunnil Suresh in Mavelikkara.
The CPI state executive will finalise its candidates for Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikara, Thrissur and Wayanad by February 26 after receiving feedback from district councils, which will meet on Friday and Saturday.
CPI thinks Pannian’s clout will come handy
Pannian, Civil Supplies Minister Anil, his wife and former MLA R Latha Devi are being considered for Thiruvananthapuram. Although Pannian had earlier dismissed his candidature, party sources say he has been convinced of the importance of winning as many seats as possible this time.
CPI thinks the popularity and clout of Pannian, who had won from the constituency in 2005 by a whopping margin of 74,200 votes, will come in handy while taking on a tall leader like Shashi Tharoor.
Anil, who represents the Nedumangad segment in the state assembly, and Lalitha are also being considered. In contrast, the CPI was looking for a David to take on the Goliath in Mavelikkara.
The party is aware that it won’t be easy to trounce Kodikunnil who won from the constituency on all but two occasions since 1989.
Chittayam Gopakumar is also being considered for the seat. For Thrissur, former minister Sunil Kumar is the main contender, though minister Rajan and former minister K P Rajendran are also in the race to take on sitting Congress MP T N Prathapan and film star Suresh Gopi, who will be contesting on BJP ticket.