Kerala: Internal tug-of-war inside CPM over selection of Alappuzha municipal chairperson out in public

ALAPPUZHA: The internal tug-of war inside the CPM over the selection for the post of Alappuzha municipal chairperson has come out in public after a section of the CPM workers took out a protest march in Alappuzha town raising slogans against the CPM leadership. Following it, CPM leadership has started to initiate action against those who led the protest.The CPM district leadership sought explanation from three branch secretaries of CPM in Nehru trophy ward of Alappuzha municipality.
Alappuzha CPM leadership first selected Eravukadu councilor Soumya Raj’s (Indu Teacher) name to the post of chairperson of the Alappuzha municipality. But it created protest from some section of party workers. They have demanded the leadership to select Jayamma, the councilor from Nehru Trophy ward and CPM area committee member as municipal chairperson. According to them, Jayamma is senior than Soumya Raj and Jayamma is deserving the post of chairperson. But the CPM district leadership did not accept it. It provoked them. So, the protesters including many women took out a protest march in Alappuzha town. They shouted slogans against the party district leadership. They also alleged that the party leaders received bribes for selecting Soumya Raj as the chairperson.
CPM district secretary R Nazar said that the party has sought explanation from the branch secretaries P Pradeep, V S Sukesh and PP Manoj from Nehru Trophy ward in connection with the protest and action will be taken against them based on our inquiry soon,” said Nazar.
Soumya Raj was elected as chairperson of the Alappuzha municipality in the election held on Monday. Her name was proposed by Jayamma. Soumya Raj won as she received 36 votes. Alappuzha municipality has 52 councilors.
Speaking to the media, PWD minister G Sudhakaran said that Soumya Raj’s name was nominated unanimously and there were no internal issues related to it.