Thiruvananthapuram: Following the passing of Oommen Chandy, the CPM has recognized the necessity to initiate preparations for the forthcoming by-elections in Puthuppally.

However, the state secretariat meeting held on Friday decided to focus on the poll only after the Central Committee meeting scheduled in August first week. Meanwhile, LDF Convener E.P. Jayarajan, who was notably absent for party events and an anti-UCC seminar held in Kozhikode, attended the state secretariat. 

Since the Puthuppally by-election is expected to coincide with assembly elections in five states, the party sees it as a good opportunity for evaluating voter sentiment. However, it is still unclear who will represent LDF in Puthuppally. Meanwhile, the LDF meeting will be held on Saturday. 

At the same time, the state secretariat determined that the seminar fell short of its goal of highlighting the Uniform Civil Code as a political issue and improving the party's image among Muslim communities.