CPM to decide on Chief Minister candidate

Kozhikode, May 11 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist), heading the Left Democratic Front in Kerala, will decide on the chief ministerial candidate of the coalition, the Indian National League (INL) today said.

''It is the sole responsibility of the CPI(M),'' under whose stewardship, the coalition was able to win a landslide victory in the Assembly elections, results of which were declared today, INL secretary Sulaiman Khalid told reporters here.

''We will wholeheartedly welcome their decision on the issue,'' he added.

Expressing gratitude for the victory of its candidate P M A Salaam from Calicut II, enabling the party to open its account in the state Assembly, he said the election results had shown that people had rejected the policies purused by the UDF, particularly, the IUML, which received a severe drubbing at the hustings.

He attributed the victory to the relentless campaign undertaken by the LDF during the last six months in the state.

UNI PCH ROY PA VV1818