Thiruvananthapuram: A three-day crucial meeting of the CPI(M) began here today to discuss various poll strategies, including whether or not to field Marxist veteran V S Achutanandan in the May 16 assembly elections in Kerala.


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Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury is participating in the meeting.


Though the CPI(M) central leadership is understood to be keen on fielding 93-year-old Achutanandan, who is the leader of the opposition in the present assembly along with former party state secretary and Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan, a final decision in this regard is expected to be taken at the meeting, party sources said.


However, a decision on who will be leading the front campaign, might take some more time.


Party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had earlier stated that the party list will be released by March 20 along with that of other LDF partners.


After the two-day party secretariat meeting, a one-day state committee will also be held.


CPI and CPI(M) have already decided not to field those who had completed two terms as MLAs. The Marxist party has also decided not to field party district secretaries.


The meetings being held will be decided if any relaxations have to be made to these norms in case of any individual leaders.


CPI is also holding its State Executive and Council here to finalise its candidates list which is expected to be ready by March 20.