Stir over denial of ticket to VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Protesters took to the streets across Kerala on Thursday against the CPM's decision to deny ticket to chief minister V S Achuthanandan to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections. The 87-year-old leader refused to comment and spent the day at his official residence here.
VS loyalists staged protests in Kasargode, Kannur, Palakkad, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram, raising slogans against Kerala CPM secretary and party leadership.
In Punalur, Citu workers marched in his support. CPM cadres put up black flags outside the residence of several senior CPM leaders. Flex boards denouncing Vijayan were displayed at various point in Thiruvananthapuram. Pro-VS messages clogged cellphone inboxes.
In Kottyam and Eranakulam, party candidates declined to contest saying they were saddened by the developments concerning VS.