CPI to field two MLAs to wrest Tvm, Mavelikkara

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI state council on Monday decided to field Nedumangad MLA C Divakaran against Congress strong man Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. The state council also selected Adoor MLA Chittayam Gopakumar as party’s candidate for Mavelikkara. Former MLA Rajaji Mathew Thomas will contest from Thrissur and P P Suneer has been selected to contest from Wayanad.
The recommendations of the state council will be discussed by the national executive of the party in New Delhi later this week. A final decision on the candidates will be taken by the national executive. Sources said major changes in the list approved by the state council are unlikely as the council unanimously picked the candidates.

Divakaran was one of the three names forwarded to the state council by the Thiruvananthapuram district council. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran who was the first choice of the district council told the council that he was unwilling to contest. The council then chose Divakaran, observing that a strong political fight would be needed to defeat Tharoor. Divakaran, who had represented Karunagappally twice, switched to Nedumangad constituency in 2016. The veteran leader, who has strong AITUC roots, sprang a surprise by winning in Nedumangad. A resident of Thiruvananthapuram, Divakaran’s contacts and grassroots level work here would benefit him to put up a strong fight in the poll, said sources in CPI.

In Mavelikkara, Gopakumar was identified as the best candidate, where Kodikkunnil Suresh would be the Congress candidate. As an MLA, Gopakumar has made his mark and his political acumen and personal traits would help him fetch a win which had been eluding the CPI in the constituency for long.

The case of Thrissur was a little complex as the district council had ruled out against fielding current MP C N Jayadevan. Sources said there was objection in the state executive against the candidature of K P Rajendran, which was proposed by a section of leaders. Finally, Jayadevan is learned to have suggested the name of Rajaji Mathew Thomas, who had represented Ollur in the assembly during 2011-16. Thomas is a native of Thrissur and the party feels that he can retain the seat this time. Suneer, who is the CPI Malappuram district secretary, will contest from Wayanad which comprises three assembly constituencies from Malappuram district.