ALAPPUZHA: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Monday officially announced Saji Cherian as the LDF candidate for the Chengannur assembly bypoll. Mr Cherian, 53, hails from Chengannur, and has been CPM's Alappuza district secretary since 2015. He was reelected to the post for a second consecutive three-year term in January. Mr. Cherian stepped into politics through Students Federation of India in the late 1970's.
He was elected CPM Chengannur area secretary in 2001. He represented Mulakuzha division in the district panchayat in 1995 and became chairman of the development standing committee in the local body. Mr Cherian had fought 2006 assembly election from Chengannur constituency but lost to P.C. Vishnunath of the Congress. He also held positions in DYFI, District Co-operative Bank, and the District Sports Council.
