There are also calls for Brinda Karat, as a well-known figure, to be given an exemption and made the new secretary. However, a senior Central Committee (CC) member clarified, “So far, no decision has been made to grant an exemption to anyone. Raghavulu and Baby are the seniormost in the PB and will naturally get priority. Since they are of the same age, other criteria like performance and the strength of the party in their regions will come into play. The party has not yet initiated discussions on this.”Leaders from North India, however, argue that choosing Baby would give the impression that the entire party is concentrated in Kerala. Instead, they advocate for a leader with a national profile.“These leaders are efficient and perform well in their respective roles, but the big question is: do the people know them? After someone like Yechury, shouldn’t we have a secretary with a similar national profile?” asks another veteran CC leader. They highlight that Dhawale has a national profile, especially after the Kisan Long March.The stance of the Kerala CPM and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will also be crucial. While most leaders from Kerala expect Baby to rise to the top, it is being pointed out that the General Secretary will be involved in discussions within the INDIA Bloc, led by the party’s archrival, the Indian National Congress. If Baby is appointed to the top post, the Kerala unit may face challenges in explaining its position, especially as the BJP is attempting to encroach on its space.
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