CPI-M is unlikely to field Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan to lead the LDF in the assembly polls.

According to party sources, the CPI-M state secretariat which met in Thiruvananthapuram did not favour Achuthandan's candidature. The secretariat decision would be presented to the state committe, meeting in the evening.

A formal announcement is expected after the conclusion of the state committee meet.

The question whether Achuthanandan should be put up again has been dominating the political debate for the last few weeks. The central leadership had referred the matter back to the state unit. CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat was also present in today's meeting. CPI (M) state secretary Pinaryi Vijayan is also not expected to enter fray, sources said.

In the emerging scenario, party is to be led by home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is also a Polit Bureau member.

In 2006 also, the rival faction led by state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had sought to deny ticket for Achuthandan. However,the central leadership then prevailed upon the state unit to reverse that decision.

Achuthandan won from Malampuzha segment in Palakkad district with comfortable majority. A popular face of the CPI (M) in Kerala, 87-year-old Achuthandan had a few days back made it clear that he would contest again if the party decided.

Despite his mass appeal, Achuthandan has lost his grip over the party's hierarchy as Vijayan has gained a decisive upperhand in the organisational structure in the last few years.

At the height of his fight with Vijayan, Achuthanandan was removed from the Polit Bureau.