Thiruvananthapuram: With the Kerala Assembly elections fast approaching, an unprecedented wave of desertions by senior leaders and cadres has plunged the Communist Party of India (Marxist) into a deep political crisis. The open defiance of several former MLAs, who have publicly broken ranks with the party, has created an unusual situation for the CPI(M) at a crucial electoral moment.
Four former legislators, Aisha Potty from Kollam district, S. Rajendran from Devikulam in Idukki district , P. K. Sasi from Palakkad district, and former minister G. Sudhakaran from Alappuzha district, have parted ways with the party following differences with the leadership. With their candidatures already confirmed or under consideration, the emerging scenario is one where several former CPI(M) leaders are preparing to challenge the party directly in the election fray. These developments have raised serious concerns within the party leadership, as the defections come at a time when organisational unity is considered critical ahead of the Assembly polls.
Rising defections shake party strongholds
The departure of P. V. Kunjikrishnan from the party after raising allegations regarding irregularities in the Martyrs’ Fund in Kannur has created cracks even within the CPI(M)’s traditional strongholds. His exit has triggered fresh debates inside the party regarding internal accountability and leadership responses to criticism.
The resignation of P. K. Sasi from Palakkad following a fallout with the party leadership has also dealt a major political setback to the CPI(M) in the region. In another development, political commentator Reji Lucas, who frequently represented the CPI(M) in television debates, has now joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and serves as one of its spokespersons.
The string of exits does not end there. B. N. Haskar, a leader associated with the party’s justice platform, has left the CPI(M) and joined the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Meanwhile, Madhu Mullassery, who served as an area secretary in Thiruvananthapuram, has also joined the BJP. At the local governance level, Suja Chandrababu, the president of Anchal Gram Panchayat, has defected to the Indian Union Muslim League. In addition, disciplinary action was taken against A. Suresh, a known supporter and personal staff of veteran CPI(M) leader V. S. Achuthanandan. Political observers suggest that Suresh may contest the upcoming election as a candidate of the United Democratic Front from Malampuzha in Palakkad district. The CPI(M) leadership is reportedly worried that more prominent figures may leave the party before the Assembly elections, further complicating its electoral prospects.
Former leaders prepare electoral challenges
Several of the leaders who left the party are now preparing to challenge the CPI(M) directly in the Assembly elections. Aisha Potty is expected to contest the election as a candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) from Kottarakkara, while S. Rajendran is likely to enter the fray in Devikulam as a candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In Alappuzha, veteran leader G. Sudhakaran has already announced that he will contest the election as an independent candidate. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing regarding whether P. V. Kunjikrishnan will contest as an independent candidate from Payyannur in Kannur district, a move that could pose a significant challenge to the CPI(M) in the region.
At the same time, P. K. Sasi is actively exploring his political future after leaving the party. Another former Left Democratic Front member, P. V. Anvar, who had earlier broken away from the Left Front, is also exerting pressure on the CPI(M) by contesting from Beypore. These developments have significantly altered the political landscape in several constituencies, raising the possibility of multi-cornered contests that could affect the CPI(M)’s electoral calculations.
Sudhakaran’s allegations intensify internal rift
The internal tensions within the CPI(M) intensified further after G. Sudhakaran publicly criticised senior party leader Elamaram Karim during a press conference. Sudhakaran, who has already announced that he will not renew his CPI(M) membership, levelled serious allegations against Karim regarding a report prepared on the party’s declining majority in Ambalapuzha during the previous election. According to Sudhakaran, the report was fabricated and intended to justify disciplinary action against him.
He alleged that the report prepared under Karim’s leadership ignored his explanations and was designed to portray him in a negative light. In a pointed remark, Sudhakaran also mocked Karim, referring to the latter’s attempt to contest directly from the Rajya Sabha to the Lok Sabha with posters in Kozhikode that prominently displayed the name “Kareem”. Such public accusations have further exposed the depth of internal disagreements within the party.
Despite its reputation for strong organisational discipline, the CPI(M) leadership is increasingly concerned that these defections and internal disputes during the election season could have a tangible impact on the party’s political prospects. While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan continues to project himself as a leader who has eliminated factionalism within the party, the recent developments suggest that discontent within the CPI(M) may be far from over.
