With Kerala’s assembly elections looming, internal maneuvers within the dominant LDF are making headlines. CPI, a key pillar of the Left Front, has enforced its three-term limit by sidelining six incumbent legislators in a push for rejuvenation.
The casualties: Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar, PS Supal, EK Vijayan, V. Shashi, ES Jyalal, and ex-minister E. Chandrashekaran. Cemented in a Monday politburo session, the call reflects disciplined succession planning to safeguard CPI’s 2021 gains of 17 seats from 23 fought.
Alliance bargaining intensifies as CPI(M) juggles demands. Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani seeks one extra constituency, building on their prior 12-seat foray.
Tuesday brings CPI(M)’s pivotal secretariat meet to finalize nominees from district recommendations. Whispers suggest top omissions: ex-finance head Thomas Isaac, fiery MLA MM Mani, and others like P. Jayarajan, M. Swaraj, plus Politburo’s A. Vijayaraghavan.
Confronted on his status, MM Mani quipped about immersion in organizational tasks, rejecting health pretexts despite diabetes—prevalent among comrades, including district-endorsed KK Jayachandran for his seat.
Former star performer KK Shailaja’s fate hangs in balance, potentially paving way for CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s showdown with rival Sunny Joseph. Endorsed by the Politburo to helm efforts despite his age, Vijayan’s influence looms large.
As LDF fine-tunes its 140-seat battle plan—recalling CPI(M)’s 62 triumphs last cycle—the focus sharpens on blending experience with vitality, a formula critical to repelling opposition surges.