THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM secretariat, which met on Saturday to discuss candidate selection for the assembly elections, witnessed dramatic moments after turned emotional over the party keeping her away from contesting.
The party leadership has not been keen on fielding the former health minister from her sitting seat — Mattannur. Her name has not been included in the candidate list proposed by the Kannur district leadership, either.
When the secretariat discussed the possible candidates and the number of secretariat members to be considered for candidature, Shailaja, sources said, turned emotional at one point, asking “Why am I being singled out?”
She posed the question to the senior leaders as many other secretariat members have been given another chance to contest. Shailaja has also reportedly conveyed to the leadership that she is ready to contest from Peravoor constituency, currently represented by state Congress president Sunny Joseph. Following this, the leadership is actively considering to let her contest from Peravoor.
Except Pinarayi, no other PB member to contest
A final decision on the same will be taken at the next secretariat meeting on Wednesday. The leadership has, however, categorically ruled out fielding her from Mattannur, considered a safe CPM seat. Though TNIE tried to contact Shailaja, she didn’t respond to calls or messages.
Sources said the the state leadership was not inclined to field her in the coming elections. The party’s policy for this election stipulates two-term limit for candidates in safe seats, and that was the reason for not including her in the draft list prepared by the Kannur district secretariat, said a source. The development has triggered public discussions, given her popularity. As per the norm, speaker A N Shamseer is unlikely to contest from Thalassery constituency.
The leadership also decided that other than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, no other Politburo member will contest. It was also decided that leaders who were dropped from the 2021 candidate list won’t be fielded again, thereby ruling out the chances of veterans like Thomas Isaac, G Sudhakaran and E P Jayarajan. It has also been decided that, of the 17 state secretariat members, all the ministers in the present Pinarayi Vijayan government will contest.
State secretary M V Govindan and LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan will not contest. Another state secretariat member P K Biju has not been included in the list. However, considering demands from Malappuram, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts for another secretariat member M Swaraj’s candidature, a decision will be taken in the next secretariat.
Ministers K N Balagopal, P Rajeeve, Saji Cheriyan, V N Vasavan, P A Mohamed Riyas, M B Rajesh, R Bindu, V Sivankutty and Veena George will contest. The final decision on the party’s candidates will be taken in the state secretariat to be held on March 4 and the state committee on March 5.
Briefing the media, Govindan said the party’s candidate list will be released by March 8 or 9. When asked about Shailaja’s candidature, Govindan said in sure seats, the party has decided to implement the two-term limit. While confirming his decision not to contest, Govindan said if any district secretaries are contesting, they will relinquish the post.