The State committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has named Excise Minister M.V. Govindan, MLA, as the party's new State secretary.
Mr. Govindan succeeds Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is reportedly going to Chennai for treatment. A CPI(M) communique said Mr. Balakrishnan was currently 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) convener E.P. Jayarajan attended the meeting.