Madurai: As the ongoing CPM Party Congress enters its third day, discussions over selecting the next general secretary have intensified. A Delhi-based Politburo (PB) member is likely to be chosen for the role, with the focus on Ashok Dhawale and M.A. Baby.

PB coordinator Prakash Karat favours Baby for the position. While the Kerala faction is not fully in agreement, they are united in opposing Dhawale. However, the Bengal faction strongly supports Dhawale, who is currently the national president of the Kisan Sabha.

In the first round of discussions, the Politburo decided there was no need to relax the age limit. The 17-member Politburo, including the general secretary, has seven members who have exceeded the limit, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. There are ongoing debates on whether Vijayan should be granted an exemption. Leaders such as Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, Manik Sarkar, Subhashini Ali, G. Ramakrishnan, and Surjya Kanta Mishra are set to retire.

With Sitaram Yechury stepping down, some leaders, including those from Kerala, are backing Brinda Karat as the party’s national face and a possible general secretary. However, as she had earlier pushed for the age limit to bring in new leadership, she is reportedly firm in her decision to retire.