T’puram/Kottayam: CPM state secretariat that met on Tuesday is learnt to have decided to continue with the two-term norm as the general criterion while selecting candidates for upcoming assembly poll. The norm says that MLAs, who have won consecutively from a constituency two times, needn’t be considered for candidature. However, CPM used to give exemption to leaders who the party feels are irreplaceable and to ensure win constituencies where only incumbent MLA appears winnable.
Sources said broad guidelines for candidate selection will be presented at the state committee meeting on Wednesday though discussion on candidates will be held only after the completion of LDF regional rallies planned from mid-February. With LDF government seeking a re-election, most incumbent ministers may contest again as the party seeks vote for continuance in office.
CPM leadership also decided not to rake up a controversy (Sabarimala issue) during this poll season. As the issue is sub-judice, party leaders will cite that and won’t discuss its merit.
The secretariat, which also discussed UDF’s campaign targeting acting state secretary A Vijayaraghavan, decided to clarify the party’s stand that criticizing Muslim League has nothing to do with CPM’s approach towards Muslim community. Though a section of the leaders felt that Vijayaraghavan should have been careful while giving a statement last week alleging communal motives for the discussion held between Congress and IUML leaders, others felt that exposing the League would help the party to consolidate votes of other Muslim factions.
Power minister MM Mani, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said CPM was the only party which came to the rescue of Muslim community whenever there was a crisis.
He recalled how leaders like EMS, MV Raghavan and Pinarayi Vijayan stood guard for the community during Thalassery riot. “When there was a massacre in Marad, CPM took a strong stand,” he said. Referring to Congress, Mani said leaders of that party had criticized EMS when the latter decided to form Malappuram by alleging that EMS was trying to create a Pakistan in Kerala.
In Kottayam, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran didn’t hide his displeasure over Vijayaraghavan’s statement against IUML. He said that it is Vijayaraghavan who must decide whether he should make such statements. Rajendran said that while LDF is secular, UDF is resorting to appeasement of minorities. Minority and majority communalism are dangerous, he said.