Thiruvananthapuram: E P Jayarajan has been removed from the post of LDF convener. An understanding in this regard was reached in the CPM state secretariat meeting held on Friday. 

A report in this regard was placed before the CPM state committee which met on Saturday. As Jayarajan is a member of the central committee, the central leadership will announce the action against him. 

Senior CPM leaders and former ministers A K Balan and T P Ramakrishnan are being considered for the convener's post. The new convener will be announced on Saturday. Ramakrishnan's extensive experience as a secretariat member, former minister, and ex-district secretary of Kozhikode further strengthens his candidacy.

Jayarajan’s controversial meeting with BJP leader Prakash Javadekar and his confirmation of the meeting on the polling day of the Lok Sabha elections had put the CPM in a major crisis. These all led to the removal of LDF convener now.

In the secretariat meeting, strong criticisms were raised against Jayarajan, prompting him to inform the leadership of his willingness to resign. 

Whether the resignation was accepted or the party will present it as action against him will be clear only when the party's explanation comes out. 

Realising the crux of the criticism, Jayarajan did not stay to attend Saturday’s state committee meeting. On Saturday morning, Jayarajan returned to Kannur. With this, the news that he will be removed from the post began circulating. 

Jayarajan reached his residence in Kannur around 10 am on Saturday. However, he did not bother to respond to the media.

It is quite remarkable that Jayarajan lost the position a day ahead of the party beginning its branch meetings. As per the party pattern, once the conference begins, no action is taken till the state conference concludes. 

Action against P K Sasi may also be decided in Saturday's state committee.

On the morning of April 26, during the last Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, Jayarajan surprised the CPM with his statements. He publicly told the media that he had met BJP national leader and Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar. Jayarajan mentioned that the meeting took place at his son's house in Akkulam, which led to criticisms within the CPM.

After his disclosure, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself came out with harsh criticism against him. The Chief Minister said that Jayarajan lacked vigilance and said, “If Shiva joins a sinner, Shiva also becomes a sinner” in a veiled attack against his dealings with controversial middleman T G Nandakumar.