Achuthanandan's role in CPI-M to be known on Wednesday

The future of 92-year-old Left Front stalwart V.S.Achuthanandan is expected to be known on Wednesday as the CPI-M state committee will decide what his role would be in the upcoming assembly elections and thereafter.

Party general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who arrived here on Tuesday to take part in the crucial, two-day party meet, had a 30-minute meeting with the veteran and according to those in the know of things, asked him to contest the polls, saying that was what the party wished.

The former chief minister, however, is learned to have told Yechury that he needs to get a clear assurance on what his position would be after the results are out.

While Achuthanandan clearly knows that he is the trump card for the Left during the campaign, he does not wish to be sidelined if the grouping wins the state assembly polls.

His party archrival and CPI-M politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan enjoys massive backing in the party and if a democratic process of selecting the leader in the legislature is done, the veteran will be ousted. Hence he is keeping his cards close to the chest and wants to have a solid assurance on his position before making his intentions clear.

The general opinion in the party is that while Achuthanandan can contest and lead the election campaign, Vijayan should take over as chief minister, if the Left Front wins the polls.