Factional Disputes Emerge Within CPI-M's Kerala Division After Years of Stability

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 30 (NationPress) After nearly two decades, factional disputes have resurfaced in the Kerala division of the ruling CPI-M, with various incidents reported from at least four locations across the state.

The incidents were documented in Alappuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad.

In Kollam, CPI-M state Secretary M.V. Govindan visited the party district headquarters on Saturday and, following an extensive discussion with local leaders, stated that "certain undesirable events" had occurred.

"The Karunagapally area committee has been disbanded, and an ad hoc committee will now manage the party's operations. They will make the necessary decisions regarding the recent events, and appropriate actions will follow," he mentioned.

While Govindan addressed the issue in Kollam, a robust faction of CPI-M workers was establishing a new parallel party office named after the illustrious Communist E.M.S. Namboodiripad in Kozhinjapara, Palakkad.

In Thiruvalla, located in Pathanamthitta district, the otherwise disciplined cadre party encountered turmoil as a local uprising created challenges for the state leadership, leading to the suspension of a local meeting due to significant differences of opinion.

Meanwhile, in Alappuzha, two-time State Minister G. Sudhakaran discovered that he was not invited to the local meeting held at the party office adjacent to his residence.

CPI-M's district Secretary R. Nassar explained that due to Sudhakaran's seniority, they only invite him to major events.

In a surprising turn, the CPI-M faced a setback when one of its widely favored youth leaders in Alappuzha, Bipin C. Babu, a member of the district panchayat, defected to the BJP.

State BJP President K. Surendran remarked that this is merely the beginning, and many more CPI-M members will soon join the BJP.

However, Nassar stated that Babu had previously faced repercussions from the party and that "no further attention is warranted regarding his exit."

The last significant bout of factionalism occurred nearly two decades ago when the current Chief Minister, then state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, led a dominant faction while a smaller faction was directed by former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

A political analyst asserted that the current situation should not be compared to the past conflicts between Vijayan and Achuthanandan.

"During that time, everything revolved around these two prominent party leaders. What is unfolding now is entirely different, and if not managed, it could lead to severe consequences, as we have never witnessed members openly marching on the streets and airing grievances publicly. More critically, this indiscipline is manifesting at the grassroots level, which is the party's strongest base," said the analyst, who preferred to remain anonymous.

The state leadership is particularly concerned that these issues arise just as the state party conference is set to convene in Kollam early next year, followed by the Party Congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in April.