Internal squabbles in the CPI seems to be costing the party valuable time in seeking support of the AIADMK for its candidate in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls.
While the AIADMK has slated its Executive Committee meeting for Saturday afternoon, there seems to be no consensus within the CPI on who its candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls should be. Sources close to the CPI top brass told Express that the party’s senior national leader, A B Bardhan, landed in Chennai on Friday to finalise the party’s strategy. However, there was strong discord among factions within the party, with one section rooting for State secretary D Pandian’s candidature while the other strongly pitched for incumbent D Raja.
But, sources said the Central Committee of the party had in no uncertain terms communicated to the State leadership that its duty was to secure the support of the AIADMK.
“The national leadership wants the State committee to send a list of probable candidates. The national leadership will take the final call,” the senior source said.
Meanwhile, a senior leader told Express that a delegation consisting of Bardhan are likely to meet Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday to seek party’s support. On Friday though, there were huge expectations of a meet between Jayalalithaa and Bardhan, which resulted in the entire media descending at Fort St George in the afternoon.