CPM denies election ticket to Kerala CM

The Communist Party of India-Marxist's state secretariat, at a marathon meeting on Wednesday, has denied an election ticket to the party's patriarch, Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, for the ensuing assembly elections slated for April 13.

While there has not been any official confirmation from the party, a source told rediff.com that the party has denied a seat to the veteran leader. A source said that leaders who participated in the discussion vehemently criticised Achuthanandan's actions as chief minister for the past five years.

The ministers, also his cabinet colleagues, took turns to criticise the octogenarian leader who has been demoted to the post of central committee member from the supreme party post of politburo member.

The party state committee meeting, which is still underway, will substantiate the decision taken by the party secretariat to deny a seat to Achuthanandan, one of the few remaining leaders in the history of the Communist movement in the state and the country.

CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan would not be contesting the elections, while Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, home minister in the Achuthanandan cabinet, will lead the party and the LDF in the elections.