CPM backs off from Rajya Sabha poll race; paves way for Jose K Mani

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM has withdrawn itself from the race for Rajya Sabha seats, by allowing its allies, the CPI and the Kerala Congress (M), to field their candidates in the upcoming polls for the seats in the Upper House of the Parliament which will fall vacant soon.

A decision in this regard was taken in an LDF meeting convened here on Monday.    

The stage is now set for KC(M) leader Jose K Mani who is likely to take a shot at the seat in the Rajya Sabha.

The KC(M), which was earlier a part of the UDF, had switched sides and joined the LDF with a Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha seat each in its kitty. As it lost the Lok Sabha seat from Kottayam this general elections, the party is not ready to give up the Rajaya Seat also. Jose K Mani communictated the same to Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan with CPM State secretary M V Govindan in a bilateral meeting held in this regard.In the past, in the year 2000, the CPM had similarly let go of a Rajya Sabha seat, that time for its ally RSP.

LDF convener E P Jayarajan said that the decision was taken unitedly and that the CPM's significant move is for the advancement of the LDF.   

Meanwhile, CPI, the second largest LDF ally, announced P P Suneer as its candidate to the party's Rajya Sabha seat.