Kerala CM, Achuthanandan, to contest polls on party ticket

Bowing down to pressure from its party cadres, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) on Friday changed its decision not to field Kerala Chief Minister VA Achuthanandan in next month?s Assembly polls.

Reports said that the 87-year-old veteran leader will contest from Malampuzha constituency on CPI(M) ticket.

He represents the same constituency in the current Assembly.

Earlier, on March 16 the CPI(M) had decided not to give party ticket to the incumbent chief minister, leading to sharp protests from Achuthanandan?s supporters.

The party had projected state Home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan as the party?s leader for the coming polls.

Kerala goes to the polls on April 13.