Actor quits poll race, jolts CPM in Kerala

THRISSUR: In a dramatic move, Malayalam actor K P A C Lalitha, whose name was cleared by CPM for Wadakkanchery assembly seat in Kerala despite dissent at the local level, announced on Monday that she was pulling out of the electoral race because of health reasons.

Lalitha (69), wife of the late filmmaker Bharathan, also cited movie-related commitments for her move.

A section of local CPM workers had opposed Lalitha's candidature and were demanding an opportunity for young party workers instead of fielding cine stars. The CPM's youth wing, Democratic Youth Federation of India, had taken out rallies on Sunday against Lalitha even as the CPM had threatened it would take disciplinary action against the workers.

However, on Monday Lalitha surprised the party by announcing that her health did not allow her to walk or stand for long hours. She said she had already communicated her decision to party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and stressed she would remain loyal to the party. "I will not utter a single word that will hurt the party," she said.