Expelled Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) president PK Sasi will contest from Ottapalam Assembly as an independent candidate with the support of the United Democratic Front (UDF) after the Congress decided not to give him its ‘hand’ symbol.
The UDF had initially planned to put Mr. Sasi on the Congress symbol and campaign materials with the ‘hand’ have already been widely distributed across the constituency. However, the Congress leadership withheld the symbol after objections from a section of local party leaders. Although Mr. Sasi was asked to formally join the Congress to resolve the issue, he refused, leading to the decision to contest as an independent. Posters and posters will be exchanged.
Mr. Sasi was recently expelled from the CPI(M) after publicly criticizing its state and district leadership. Reacting to the action, he said the party had every right to expel him, adding that while his long association with the CPI(M) was over, his political struggle would continue.
He also said he would expose the “perpetrators” in front of the public. Targeting state secretary MV Govindan, Mr. Sasi noted that there was a considerable vacuum in the party after the death of former state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. He also alleged that EN District Secretary Suresh Babu was part of the liquor lobby, an allegation Mr. Babu said he would challenge legally.
Published – 21 March 2026 21:12 IST
