THE CPI(M) in Kerala made a conscious decision to give more opportunities to youth and women in the upcoming local body elections in the state. The Party has fielded young candidates who are active members of the student and youth movement. In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, 66 per cent of the CPI(M)’s candidates are women and many of them are under 30 years of age.

In 2009, it was the CPI(M)-led LDF government which made a provision for 50 per cent for reserving the president and vice-president posts in panchayats, block panchayats, and district panchayats in the state for women. Similarly, provisions were made to ensure that half of the municipalities and city corporations will have women as chairpersons and mayor.

Previously, the CPI(M) led LDF government under the leadership of Comrade E K Nayanar had reserved 33 per cent seats for women in the local bodies in 1991, a year before the centre introduced similar reservation through an amendment in the Panchayati Raj Act.

The move by the CPI(M) in Kerala is in consonance with the Party programme which calls for adequate representation of women in elected bodies. CPI(M) has also continually called upon women, students, and youth, interested in a truly democratic development to actively participate in the political process.