The re-entry of senior CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan in the party’s politburo at the party’s 20th congress here was stalled by the state CPI(M) leadership headed by Pinarayi Vijayan. He was removed from the politburo in 2009. Mr Achuthanandan, however, continues in the widely represented central committee which has the power, collectively, to veto politburo decisions if need be.
K.K. Shailaja, former MLA from Kannur district, is the only leader from Kerala among the 13 newly-elected members to the Central Committee.
Veteran Bengal leader Benoy Konar was elected chairman of five member Central Control Commission. P. Rajendran from Kerala retains his place in the panel.
The 58-year-old former education minister Baby comes to the politburo after nearly four decades of work in the party, starting off as a student leader in Kollam. In the past, he functioned as the all-India leader of SFI and DYFI, and became one of the youngest members of the Rajya Sabha at the age of 32.
Citu national president A.K. Padmanabhan hails from Kannur but worked in Tamil Nadu. Surya Kanta Mishra, who was the former local bodies minister of West Bengal, is currently leading the Left Front offensive against the Trinamul Congress.
Reacting to the decision, Mr Achuthanandan said he would continue doing party work as before.
In a brief talk with mediapersons here, Achuthanandan said he would not attend the public meeting later today as he has to leave for Thiruvananthapuram.