Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) is set to grant all necessary exemptions to allow Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to lead the party in the next Kerala Assembly elections. However, no official decision has been made yet. State Secretary MV. Govindan clarified that the age relaxation granted to Vijayan at the Kannur Party Congress remains valid.

The party has set 75 as the age limit for holding party positions. Whether Vijayan will receive another exemption will be decided at the 24th Party Congress in Madurai, according to Politburo member Prakash Karat. Similarly, the CPM state conference in Kollam is expected to make the final decision on Vijayan’s inclusion in the state committee and state secretariat.

The party believes there will be continuity in governance. No alternative leader has been proposed to lead the front. “Who else is there apart from Pinarayi (Vijayan)?” remarked party veteran EP Jayarajan in a recent interview.

The Chief Minister has not ruled out contesting the elections. In a previous interview with a national newspaper, he stated that the party would decide whether he should contest.

State leaders have now reached a consensus that there is no alternative to Vijayan. It is therefore certain that party rules, including the two-term limit and the age restriction, will be adjusted in his favour. When asked whether the next government would be led by Vijayan, MV.Govindan  also said the decision would be taken at the appropriate time.

The Left government’s policy for ensuring continuity in governance will be presented at the state conference in Kollam. Govindan further said that Vijayan would introduce a new policy document titled 'New Pathways for a New Kerala'. The conference will also discuss new reform policies, including approval for private universities.

At the previous state conference in Ernakulam, the party had presented a document titled 'The Party’s Vision for a New Kerala'.