Malappuram: The CPM is likely to field P.P. Basheer for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the October 11 Vengara Assembly by-election. The formal announcement will be in Thiruvananthapuram after its state secretariat meeting on Sunday.
The district and constituency committees of the party have almost finalised Mr Basheer’s name at a meeting on Saturday attended by state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who said the by-poll wouldn’t be an assessment of the performance LDF government in the state.
“The electioneering will highlight the LDF’s anti communal stand and the government’s welfare measures,” he said.
"LDF’s election convention will be held on Thursday."
Mr Basheer had contested from Vengara last year and was defeated by Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty, who later got elected to the Parliament.
Mr Basheer could garner only 34,124 votes against Kunhalikutty’s whopping 72,181 votes.
The Muslim League’s candidate is expected to be announced on Tuesday. The party state committee would meet on Monday to finalise the name. State secretary K.P.A. Majeed and Malappuram district secretary K.N.A. Khader are in the race.
A section of party workers has launched social media campaign demanding due consideration for the young brigade.
The Muslim League had suspended N.A Kareem, the national joint secretary of MSF, the students’ wing of the party, from all posts over his Facebook post criticising Mr Majeed and Mr Khader.
His note, which he later deleted, demanded a young candidate in Vengara.
