CPI(M) looking for new leaders in Kerala

The CPI(M), the main opposition party of Kerala, will be electing a new State secretary to replace Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been holding the post since 1998, at the State conference opening at Alappuzha on Friday.

The CPI, a partner in the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, will be electing its secretary in a few days to take the place of Pannian Ravindran, in a far less spectacular way.

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and half a dozen party Politburo members will be supervising the election of a new State committee and secretary on February 23. The 71-year-old, tough-talking Vijayan is stepping down because the amended party rules do not allow party functionaries to hold office for more than three successive terms.

The highlight of Vijayan’s 16 years at the helm has been his running feud with former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, one of the first-generation leaders of the party. Over the past decade, the rivalry between the “Pinarayi group” and the “VS group” has deeply wounded the party organisation and demoralised the cadres.

For the CPI, the choice of a new secretary means picking one of the two: KE Ismayil and Kanam Rajendran, both considered level-headed leaders.

Src:- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/politics/faceoff-cpim-leaders-pinarayi-vijayan-and-vs-achuthanandan-at-a-wounded-the-partyparty-function-file-photo/article6909564.ece

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