Kollam: CPM state secretary MV Govindan has dismissed rumours of excluding veteran leader VS Achuthanandan in the party's state committee. In an interview to a vernacular daily, Govindan clarified that VS would continue to serve as a special invitee to the committee, stressing that the speculation around his exclusion was baseless.

MV Govindan addressed the rumors, stating, "The claim that VS is being excluded from the state committee is absurd. The senior leader is receiving medical care. Last year, he was also a special invitee in the committee. Once a person crosses 75 years of age, they are no longer part of the committee, but respected leaders like VS will remain special invitees until the Party Congress makes a different decision."

The CPM state committee concluded on March 10 in Kollam after five days of discussions.

The 17-member secretariat now includes K.K. Shailaja, M.V. Jayarajan, and C.N. Mohanan. Senior leaders such as M.B. Rajesh, P. Jayarajan, Kadakampally Surendran, Udayabhanu, and P. Sasi did not secure a place in the secretariat.