P.K. Sasi to quit CPI(M), to contest in Ottapalam as Independent

Communist Party of India (Marxist) dissident and erstwhile MLA P.K. Sasi is acceptable to discontinue the enactment and contention the Ottapalam Assembly spot arsenic a United Democratic Front (UDF)-backed Independent. Sources adjacent to him said helium decided to permission the enactment aft Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was successful Palakkad connected Tuesday, declined to conscionable him.

Mr. Sasi is expected to inaugurate a normal of enactment rebels astatine Parvathy Kalyana Mandapam, Chandranagar, connected Thursday morning. Both the CPI(M) territory enactment and the UDF are intimately tracking the event, arsenic the turnout could signifier their electoral calculations.

While CPI(M) leaders importune that his exit volition not dent the party’s prospects, the UDF hopes to leverage his influence. Sources bespeak that a sizeable conception of section cadre whitethorn travel him.

The CPI(M) initiated disciplinary enactment against Mr. Sasi successful 2024, demoting him from the territory committee to subdivision level. He continued arsenic KTDC president until recently. A erstwhile MLA from Shoranur, helium was erstwhile considered a cardinal organiser and fundraiser, and had been protected by the enactment against assorted allegations.

Action against him intensified aft E.N. Suresh Babu became territory secretary, with Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh besides taking a basal against him. Mr. Sasi had publically criticised the enactment during the caller section assemblage elections.

He retains important power successful Mannarkkad and Kongad regions. The enactment enactment was cautious not to provoke oregon alienate him further during the panchayat elections.

His information successful Thursday’s normal signals a ceremonial interruption amid deepening factionalism wrong the territory unit.

Internal divisions, coupled with anti-incumbency sentiment, wounded the CPI(M) successful the caller panchayat elections. A radical led by erstwhile Kozhinjampara panchayat president M. Satheesh discontinue the party, alleging that it had strayed from its principles and aligned with the wealthy. The CPI(M) subsequently mislaid power of the Kozhinjampara panchayat, which it had governed for years.

Thursday’s gathering is expected to beryllium a amusement of spot by the dissidents. Mr. Satheesh said astir 500 workers are apt to attend, and a fewer territory committee members whitethorn articulation Mr. Sasi.