Kochi: The CPM state conference will begin in Thrissur on February 22 amidst the party facing charges of murdering Youth Congress leader Shuhaib.

Party workers were arrested in connection with the murder even as party denied any role in the murder.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be attending the meeting without any worries as the delegates are mainly his supporters as he had crushed supporters of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan at district level conferences.

Nonagenarian Achuthanandan’s role is limited to hoisting the party flag on the inaugural day.

The last state conference in Alappuzha three years ago saw Achuthanandan walking out of the venue in a huff over the party report openly criticising him at the meet.

Achuthanandan has grown old and lost energy to regroup and fight back.

Pinarayi has established himself in such a manner that the party cannot find a replacement for him.

A total 566 delegates, including 87 state committee members, are attending the four-day event.State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is likely to continue in the position even as he may get a dressing down for his sons’ involvement in fraud in Dubai.

Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan may come in for criticism in the Shuhaib murder case.

The party may also discuss the issue of taking KM Mani into the LDF even as its associate CPI has threatened to walk out of the front.

Mani has been invited to speak at a seminar during the conference.The party is also likely to discuss forming a mega front involving legendary actor Kamal Haasan.