Wednesday, March 15 2006 19:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI-M in Kerala today (Mar 15 2006) decided not to field party veteran V S Achuthanandan in the coming assembly polls.

The party is likely to fight the polls projecting LDF convener Paloli Muhammad Kutty as the Chief Ministerial probable.

The decision to sideline Achuthanandan was taken by the party state secretariat meet here, which drew up a list of senior leaders for contesting the polls, it was learnt from CPI-M sources. The meet concluded this afternoon.

CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan would also keep off the fray.

Achuthanandan and Vijayan are leading two rival factions in the party in the state.

The secretariat decision would be reported to the state committee, which is to take a final decision on the issue of candidates' list.

The state committee meet began soon after the conclusion of the secretariat meet.

CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat is also attending the meeting.