The State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] elected Excise Minister M.V. Govindan, MLA, as the party’s new State secretary.
Mr. Govindan succeeds Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is reportedly travelling to Chennai for treatment. A CPI(M) communique said Mr. Balakrishnan was hard-pressed to discharge his duties as party secretary.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau members Prakash Karat, M. A. Baby, A Vijayaraghavan and Left Democratic Front (LDF) convenor E.P. Jayarajan attended the meeting.