Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM managed to win eight out of the nine seats in the syndicate of the University of Kerala for which elections were held on Thursday, edging out the candidates fielded by the LDF allies the CPI and the Janata Dal (United.) With this, the strength of the CPM in the 13-member syndicate will go up to 12 as four from the party were elected unopposed earlier. The UDF settled for one seat which it through draw of lots.
The newly-elected syndicate members are R. Rajesh, MLA, J. Jairaj, assistant professor, Government College, Attingal; M. Vijayan Pillai, NSS College, Nilamel; B.P. Murali, Thiruvannathapuram district panchayat member; Vijayan Padanilam, Alappuzha district Panchayat member; G. Bijukumar, section officer, University Office; G. Muralidharan Pillai and B. Balachandran. The only Congress man who won the elections was R. Arunkumar of KSMDB College, Sasthamcotta.
The Syndicate will have no representation of the managements of the aided colleges as elections were not held in the management constituency this time.
