THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretariat on Friday nominated party central committee member and CITU state secretary Elamaram Kareem to contest the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls in the state. With his nomination the LDF line up for the June 21 poll is complete. Earlier, CPI state executive had decided to field national secretary Binoy Viswam. Of the three seats falling vacant this time, the LDF with its current strength in Assembly is expected to win two and the UDF one.
The decision to field Kareem was taken at the state secretariat meeting held at the AKG Centre. Apart from Kareem, many other names were in circulation for the Rajya Sabha berth including that of Cherian Phillip, DYFI leader Mohammad Riyaz, CPM central committee member and AIKS leader Vijoo Krishnan. However, the party decided on Kareem considering his seniority, elevation to the national leadership of CITU in future and experience in the trade union field. The LDF candidates will file nomination papers on Monday.
The 64-year-old leader entered political sphere through KSF in 1971 and three years later became member of the CPM and CITU. In the previous Achuthanandan government Kareem was the Industries Minister. From 1977 to 1986 he was the local secretary of Mavoor and member of Mavoor area committee from 1989 to 1993. Currently he is the general secretary of CITU-led Road Transport Workers Federation. He has also worked as secretary of All India Road Transport Federation.
