Thiruvananthapuram: Rajya Sabha member and CPI veteran Binoy Viswam has been given temporary charge of party state secretary. The decision has been taken in the CPI state executive meeting held at Kottayam on Sunday. The development comes hours after the CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran was laid to rest. 

Ever since Kanam has been suffering health issues, Viswam’s name was in the limelight as a potential successor. It may be also noted that Kanam who applied for three months’ leave from the responsibilities of the party had recommended the name of Viswam to be in charge of the party during the period.

Earlier today, media reports claimed that the state executive meeting would be stormy as CPI has factional issues. Meanwhile, reacting to the state executive’s decision, Viswam said that it would be approved by the state council too.

The tenure of Viswam, seen as the soft face of the CPI, in the upper house comes to a close next year. He is also a former State Forest Minister and has carried himself well in state politics. 

With IANS inputs