Palakkad: A Suresh Kumar, former PA to VS Achuthanandan, has said that CPM state secretary MV Govindan’s statement - that even if he filed not four but 100 appeals it would make no difference, and that once expelled he would remain expelled — has effectively shut the door on any possibility of rejoining the party.

Suresh said he would join the Opposition leader’s ongoing yatra on Tuesday evening. He noted that he had already submitted four appeals, but none were considered. Having remained outside the party for 13 years, he said he no longer has any hope of being taken back. Suresh, who was once the personal assistant to VS Achuthanandan, told mathrubhumi.com that he now sees no path for his return.

He also made it clear that if he contests the upcoming Assembly elections, it will only be from Malampuzha. He said many people with Left-leaning sentiments are supporting him. However, he ruled out joining the Congress and said he would instead contest as an independent candidate. He is scheduled to become part of the “Puthuyuga Yatra” at 6 pm on Tuesday.

Suresh was expelled from the CPM following a Central Committee meeting held on May 12 and 13, 2013. The charges against him included leaking internal party information to the media and creating and circulating news reports to boost VS Achuthanandan’s image.

The decision to expel him and two others was based on the recommendations of a commission comprising Vaikom Viswan and A Vijayaraghavan. Although VS Achuthanandan had rejected the commission’s recommendations, he was unable to prevent the disciplinary action. Along with Suresh, press secretary . Balakrishnan and additional private secretary VK Sasidharan were also expelled.

Meanwhile, there is growing discussion within the CPM about fielding VS Achuthanandan’s son, VA Arun Kumar, in Malampuzha if Suresh contests from the constituency. A section of the party believes that fielding Arun Kumar would help retain the “VS factor.” In the last election, CPM’s A Prabhakaran won the Malampuzha seat with a majority of 25,734 votes.