Achuthanandan should make way for Vijayan, says Nayanar's widow

Kannur (Kerala), April 25  At a time when the CPI-M in Kerala is yet to decide on who will be its chief ministerial candidate between V.S. Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan, the widow of a former chief minister from the party has thrown her weight behind Vijayan.

K.P. Sarada Teacher, widow of E.K. Nayanar, one of the most popular chief ministers in the state, made her view clear on Monday when Vijayan called on her before filing his nomination papers from the Dharmadom assembly constituency in Kannur. 

Nayanar was the chief minister on three occasions from 1980 to 1981, then from 1987 to 1991, and then had a full five-year term from 1996 to 2001. He died on May 19, 2004.

Sarada told Vijayan that he should not only win from Dharmadom, but win with a massive majority and then go on to become the chief minister, "because I want to visit Cliff House (the official residence of the chief minister)" where she had stayed during her husband Nayanar's three stints. 

Speaking to the media after Vijayan left her house, Sarada said that she wished Vijayan to become the chief minister. "Yes, I want Pinarayi to be the chief minister, a 100 per cent. Yes, Achuthanandan is contesting, but he should now make way for Pinarayi. Don't you think the same way," she asked the media persons. 

The matter would be decided by the party, she added. 

During the local body elections held in the state last year, Nayanar's daughter contested from Ernakulam, but lost.