Six MPs, three MLAs in CPM draft list

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state secretariat, which met here on Tuesday to prepare the draft list of candidates for Lok Sabha election, amended several norms followed by the party like restricting sitting MPs to two consecutive terms and discouraging MLAs to contest after the party central leadership instructed the state unit to ensure win in maximum number of seats.

All CPM MPs, except P Karunakaran in Kasaragod, will contest the election while panels of two candidates each have been shortlisted for a few seats in which the party failed last time. The CPI state council had finalised candidates in four of its seats on Monday.

CPM sources said A Sampath (Attingal), M B Rajesh (Palakkad), P K Biju (Alathoor) and P K Sreemathy (Kannur) would contest again while the party would support Independent Joyce George in Idukki. Chalakkudy MP Innocent is being considered for Ernakulam and P Rajeeve will contest in Chalakkudy if he shifts to Ernakulam. Rajeeve will be fielded in Ernakulam if the district committee insists on Innocent in Chalakudy.

CPM to contest in Kottayam

In Kottayam, the CPM is learnt to have zeroed in on Sindhumol Jacob, a member of Uzhavoor panchayat. She has the backing of Knanaya Christian community and is a known face in the constituency. The CPM has reportedly picked Aroor MLA A M Arif for Alappuzha seat while another MLA A Pradeep Kumar is being considered along with DYFI all-India president P A Mohammed Riyaz for Kozhikode seat.

District secretary K N Balagopal is the front runner for Kollam seat. For Vadakara, the party considers P Sathidevi, P Jayarajan and M V Jayarajan. Former MLA K P Satheesh Chandran has been recommended for Kasaragod seat. SFI all-India president V P Sanu is being considered for Malappuram while the party plans to keep Ponnani seat open for an independent candidate with repute. The party is learnt to have approached Dr Fazal Gafoor but he has reportedly expressed reservations. Sources said Aranmula MLA Veena George has been suggested in Pathanamthitta, where the party is looking for a suitable independent candidate.

The CPM secretariat also decided against conceding to demands of other constituents. JD (S), Loktanthric Janata Dal and NCP had sought one seat each. Delegations of these parties had met CPM leaders with the demand but party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is learnt to have conveyed the party's position. However, sources hinted that the CPM could offer Pathanamthitta seat to the NCP provided it gave the party a winnable seat in Maharashtra. The JD (S), which contested in Kottayam last time, is upset over the decision. LJD wanted to contest either in Kozhikode or Vadakara.

The CPM has directed all district committees to meet on Wednesday to discuss the proposals. The state committee meeting on Thursday will consider the recommendations of state secretariat and reports from district committees concerned before finalising the candidates. The LDF state committee will meet on Friday.