In a swift move that has rocked Kerala’s political circles, the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Thursday expelled former legislator PK Sasi from its ranks. Sasi, who once represented the Palakkad constituency, has been at loggerheads with the party leadership since being denied a ticket for the 2021 assembly elections.
The decision to sideline him sparked widespread discontent among his supporters, straining his ties with the state leadership. An attempt to placate him came with his appointment as chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, but Sasi resigned from the post last month, fueling speculation about an imminent split.
The expulsion came just hours after Sasi attended a meeting of disgruntled CPI-M workers in his home district of Palakkad. The gathering saw sharp criticism of the district leadership from Sasi and other attendees. Within an hour, the state leadership announced his removal from primary membership, citing a grave breach of party discipline.
Party insiders revealed that participating in the dissident conclave and openly criticizing the organization crossed a red line. Sasi had earlier described the event as a gathering of ‘self-respecting revolutionaries’ forced by compelling circumstances.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan seized the moment, reminding that the CPI-M had cleared Sasi of moral turpitude charges a few years ago. This episode intensifies the political turbulence in Palakkad, a CPI-M stronghold with 12 assembly seats. The party swept 10 of them in 2021 but suffered a crushing defeat in December’s local body polls, emboldening dissenters.
As internal rifts widen, questions loom over CPI-M’s prospects in the next assembly elections. Palakkad’s volatile dynamics could prove pivotal for Kerala’s ruling left front.