THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI has decided to field M. Rahmathulla as its candidate from Wayanad if the seat will be handed over to them. The party will announce its decision at the LDF meeting on Thursday. Rahmathulla is the chairman of Kerala State Housing Board. He had contested Lok Sabha polls from Ponnani twice earlier. The state executive meeting of the CPI also considered the name of Satyan Mokeri for the seat. As he conveyed his unwillingness to contest, Rahmathulla’s name was finalised.
There was criticism from some members at the executive over the manner in which the party surrendered Ponnani and accepted Wayanad. According to some leaders, Ponnani was a winnable seat and retaining that would have been a wiser decision in the long run. By surrendering the seat to the CPM as a compromise, the chances of the party getting it back in the next election has become very remote.
The LDF state committee meeting scheduled for Thursday will be crucial not only for the CPI but also for Janata Dal(S). As the Dal declared its decision to contest from Kozhikode against the LDF’s will, the CPM would demand the ouster of Dal from the Front. The only question remaining is whether the party will compel other partners to take such a decision on Thursday or wait till the Lok Sabha polls are over.
The mediators in the Front are still hopeful that there is room for a compromise between the CPM and JD(S).