LDF plans three rallies against US attack on Iran

T'puram: CPM and LDF are gearing up to explore the political milieu by organizing public rallies and campaigns against the US attack on Iran amid rising security concerns in the Middle East. LDF will organize anti-war rallies in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram on March 6, 7 and 8 to show solidarity with the Iranian people.LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan said on Wednesday that the front would organize a public campaign against the US attack on Iran. The move assumes political significance in the context of Muslim minority political outfits rallying behind UDF in the just-concluded local body polls.
Seat-sharing talks inconclusiveMeanwhile, seat-sharing talks between CPM and its allies remained inconclusive on Wednesday. After the meeting, Ramakrishnan said that discussions were progressing and LDF constituents would announce their candidates as soon as the Election Commission declared the poll date.Meanwhile, CPM state secretariat meeting at AKG Centre on Wednesday reviewed the candidate list suggested by various district committees. Indications show CPM would field K K Shailaja in Peravoor, the sitting seat of KPCC chief Sunny Joseph. He has been winning there since 2011. The decision to deny Mattannur, her sitting seat, did not go down well with a section within the party as they suspect the move could be a strategy to sideline Shailaja.Sources said Ramakrishnan would contest from Perambra, his sitting seat. This means CPM would not yield to Kerala Congress (M)'s demand for the Perambra seat. CPM Secretariat also confirmed Kannur district committee's decision to field M V Govindan's wife, P K Shyamala, in Taliparamba, Govindan's sitting seat. It also turned down the demand by a section of party leaders for M M Mani's candidacy in Udumbanchola. K K Jayachandran would replace Mani there.The lists of candidates reviewed by CPM Secretariat will be discussed at the state committee meeting on Thursday. After the state committee clears the list, it will return to the respective district committees and mandalam committees for reporting.