Communist Party of India (Marxist) dissident and former MLA PK Sasi is all set to quit the party and contest the Ottapalam Assembly seat as an Independent backed by the United Democratic Front (UDF). Sources close to him said he decided to quit the party after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was in Palakkad on Tuesday, refused to meet him.
Mr. Sasi is expected to inaugurate the convention of party rebels at Parvathy Kalyana Mandapam, Chandranagar on Thursday morning. Both the CPI(M) and UDF district leaders are watching the event closely as the turnout could affect their electoral calculations.
While CPI(M) leaders insist his exit will not hurt the party’s prospects, the UDF hopes to use his influence. Sources suggest that a significant section of the local cadre may follow him.
The CPI(M) initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Sasi in 2024 and demoted him from the district committee to the branch level. He continued as chairman of KTDC until recently. The former MLA from Shoranur was once considered a key organizer and fundraiser and was shielded by the leadership from various allegations.
The crackdown on him intensified after EN Suresh Babu became the district secretary, with Excise Minister MB Rajesh also opposing him. Mr Sasi publicly criticized the party during the recent local body elections.
It retains significant influence in the Mannarkkad and Kongad regions. The party leadership was careful not to provoke or alienate him further during the panchayat elections.
His attendance at Thursday’s convention signals a formal break amid deepening factionalism within the district unit.
Internal divisions along with anti-incumbency sentiment hurt the CPI(M) in the recent panchayat elections. A group led by former Kozhinjampara panchayat president M. Satheesh left the party, claiming it had deviated from its principles and allied itself with the rich. The CPI(M) subsequently lost control of the Kozhinjampara panchayat, which it had ruled for years.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to be a demonstration of the strength of the dissidents. Mr. Satheesh said about 500 workers are likely to attend and a few district committee members may join Mr. Sasi.
Published – 04 March 2026 21:10 IST
