KOLLAM: Stars are the beneficiaries of the squabble in the CPM over the candidate selection for the Assembly elections. After much wavering, the CPM has finally chosen actor Mukesh for the Kollam seat replacing sitting MLA P.K. Gurudasan. Both the VS and Pinarayi factions will have no quarrel as Mukesh, a CPI sympathiser, is a consensus candidate. He will contest as an independent candidate backed by the Left.
Though posters have appeared in Kollam supporting Mr Gurudasan, the party defended the selection of Mukesh saying he had a good chance of victory.
Earlier, the CPM district committee had suggested the name of state committee member K. Varadarajan for Kollam. But due to the opposition against him, Mr R.S. Babu, a journalist, was considered, but he was also rejected. The state secretariat also turned down the name of Mr Gurudasan recommended by the district committee.
The decision to field Mukesh was taken at a meeting presided over by CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. In the case of Mr Gurudasan, the party has adhered to its decision not to field candidates who have contested for at least two times.
