Speaking to media in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, CPM veteran and Kerala’s opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said that his decision on contesting the upcoming assembly elections will be confirmed later.
Central Committee of CPI(M) is of the opinion that both polit bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan and Achuthanandan should contest the elections this time. However, it has entrusted the state leadership to take a final call on the matter.
Meanwhile, certain reports suggest that VS would consider retiring from active politics if he is not allowed to contest the polls. That would also suggest that he might refrain from active election campaigning if that is the case.
In recent survey conducted by Asianet News, VS had gathered mass support to contest the elections. VS has been known for his crowd pulling abilities and in last assembly elections in 2011, ‘VS factor’ was considered to be one thing which gave a setback to Congress led UDF which in 2009 Lok Sabha elections had performed relatively well in the state.
In assembly elections of 2006 and 2011, the state CPI(M) leadership had initially decided to not VS contest, however, in both cases the leadership later ‘corrected’ its decision and allowed him to contest. Reportedly, this time the CPI(M) central committee has called for an early decision from the state leadership.
So being it, if VS decides to step back from active politics, it would turn out to a set back to CPI(M) in Kerala. Anyway, state committee will meet on March 2 to take decision on the matter.
