Kochi: The ruling CPM is yet to fix its candidate for the Thrikkakara assembly by-election even as its cadre started campaigning for a young leader following media reports about his possible candidature. Various media channels in Kerala reported on Wednesday morning that the CPM had decided to field K S Arunkumar as its candidate, but the party sought to clarify that no decision had been made yet. Arun Kumar is a member of CPM's Ernakulam District Committee.
However, the CPM activists had started painting compound walls seeking to vote for the youth leader, before the party leaders sought to quell what they called just rumours. The first wall painting at the constituency showcasing Arunkumar was almost complete when suddenly the painter was asked to stop the work and leave. The local leadership, however, said that the painting was stopped because no official announcement was made and once that comes, it will resume. It is not clear why did the party cadre start campaigning for Arunkumar if the party had not taken a decision about his candidature.
When its leaders emerged from almost a day-long meeting, the newly-appointed LDF Convenor and Thrikkakara in charge E P Jayarajan said there is a process for candidate selection and announcement.
"Our party has set protocols for all this. We have various committees which will deliberate over it and convey their opinion at the LDF meeting, which has been scheduled for Thursday," he said.
Expressing surprise at the media's projection, state Industries Minister P Rajeev wondered how they jumped to a conclusion when the party had not even started to discuss the matter.
The bypoll, necessitated by the death of Congress legislator P T Thomas, will be held on May 31. The Congress on Tuesday announced the candidature of Thomas's wife Uma Thomas.
The CPM is likely to declare its candidate on Thursday.
The party was keen to name its own candidate rather than backing an independent who is acceptable to its Left Democratic Front (LDF) allies.
E P Jayarajan, P Rajeev and M Swaraj are among those deciding the LDF candidate.
The CPM-led political alliance could hit the century mark in the 140-member House if it wins the bypoll.
The CPM is hopeful of wresting the seat which has been a Congress stronghold ever since it was formed in 2011. The likely presence of a joint candidate of the Twenty20 outfit and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may give the ruling LDF an advantage as a split in the opposition votes is to be expected.
The Twenty20 party has already proved it is not a pushover at least in the Thrikkakara constituency where it had secured 10.18% votes in the 2021 state polls, which Congress candidate PT Thomas went on to win. The bypoll has been necessitated by the death of Thomas last December.
The counting of votes will take place on June 3, three days after the voting. Nominations could be submitted till May 11.
