‘Detached’ VS Achuthanandan reconciled, to leave for hometown soon

All eyes are set on V.S. Achuthanandan, who looked totally detached at the press conference at which Pinarayi Vijayan’s name was announced for Kerala chief minister. He has convened a press meet on Saturday in which he will express his views. Those close to him say he is almost reconciled to the decision and a dramatic response from his side looks remote. He is planning to leave for his hometown Alappuzha within two days.

By ensuring the presence of Mr Achuthanandan while announcing Mr Vijayan as the party’s choice for the CM’s post, the CPI(M) general secretary sent out the message that the veteran leader was on board and speculation to the contrary was far-fetched. Sources said Mr Achuthanandan had conveyed his willingness to take up chief ministership if the party decided so. In fact, all through the election campaign he had expressed similar views saying he was not averse to taking up the top job.

Mr Yechury reportedly conveyed the veteran leader’s willingness before the state secretariat meeting. However, the secretariat unanimously proposed the name of Mr Vijayan and the central leaders, including Mr Yechury and Prakash Karat, endorsed it.

The central leadership is learnt to have apprised Mr Achuthanandan of the thinking in the party regarding chief ministership ahead of the meeting.

Sources said if a section of the leadership, including Mr Yechury, had proposed Mr Achuthanandan’s name, the proposal would have been put to vote in the secretariat and in the state committee. Considering Mr Vijayan’s complete control over the party state unit, the possibility of a different outcome would have been impossible. With the state secretariat and state committee unanimously deciding on Mr Vijayan, there was no scope for discussion on any other choice. The veteran leader has reportedly rejected any offer for a Cabinet rank position.