Kozhikode: The absence of central committee member Elamaram Kareem on the list of CPM probable candidates came as a surprise to many as he was a prominent figure in the official faction tipped to become a minister if LDF returns to power. Party sources cite Kareem’s position as CITU state general secretary as the reason for his exclusion.
“There was a suggestion to elevate him to CITU central leadership. Moreover, the list is yet to be released and he could come as a late entrant,” a senior party leader told DC.
He was facing corruption charges in Kinalur land deal and Chakkittapara mining case during his ministerial stint. Opponents brand him as pro-corporate and pro-affluent for his initiatives as industries minister.
Sources say he suffered more damage as the lieutenant of Pinarayi Vijayan when the cold war between V.S Achuthanandan and Pinarayi was at its peak.
Mr Kareem was the one who went the extra mile to defend Mr Vijayan and others in T.P. Chandrasekharan murder. Last time, he had a narrow victory from Beypore, by 5316 votes. In Parliament election too, CPM candidate, A Vijayaraghavan had a lead of only 1,700 in this segment.
“It’s not because of the fear factor in Beypore. He had only two stints as a legislator. So the party could have given him a safer seat,” they said.
But CPM Kozhikode district secretary P. Mohanan brushes aside all these. “There is no issue in the party on the selection of candidates. CPM is yet to release its list. Rival camps are manufacturing all the rumours doing the rounds,” he told DC.
