Thiruvananthapuram: With the CPM state leadership meetings scheduled for four days next week, there is a feeling emerging in the party that most sitting MPs be retained to ensure better results.
The state secretariat meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday followed by the state committee on Thursday and Friday would be deliberating at length on the candidates for each constituency and also the issue of retaining sitting MPs.
The leadership is not prepared to take chances in candidate selection especially in a crucial election. Moreover, the party has high stakes in Kerala as it is not expected to spring major surprises in West Bengal and Tripura.
Most sitting MPs are likely to be considered for another round of electoral fight. The party believes that MPs who have performed well during the past 5 years, taken up peoples issues prominently and spent MPLAD funds for development projects touching different sections of society especially the poor, have better prospects of retaining the seats.
The condition which bar candidates who have won two consecutive terms, is likely to be relaxed in the case of many of the young MPs. A.Sampath from Attingal, M.B. Rajesh from Palakkad and P.K. Biju from Alathur all are likely to be given a third chance. There is still no clarity on Alathur since party is also looking at the possibility of fielding former speaker K.Radhakrishnan.
Kasargod MP P.Karunakran has won three consecutive elections. In case if the party decides to field him again, then his candidature will be treated as a special case especially in the wake of politically hostile situation in Kasargod district following the brutal murder of two youth Congress leaders in Periaya. Former district secretary K.P. Satheesh Chandran's name is also doing the rounds.
Kannur MP P.K. Sreemathy and Idukki MP Joice George are likely to get a second chance while Innocent will have to make way for a new candidate in Chalakudy. Former Ernakulam district secretary P.Rajeev is likely to be fielded in Chalakudy. The name of former MLA Saju Paul is also being discussed.
