CPM rebels in Palakkad plan new party ahead of assembly polls

PALAKKAD: CPM rebels in Palakkad district are preparing to form a new political party ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The group is planning to launch a new outfit named the Democratic Marxist Front. There are also efforts to bring P K Sasi, Chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), into the new party. Meanwhile, CPM district secretary E N Suresh Babu said that the party has not been affected in the past, even when top leaders left.

The move aims to unite CPM rebels who are currently scattered across different parts of Palakkad district. Leaders from Kozhinjampara, Mannarkkad and Ottapalam areas are involved in the joint effort. Talks have reportedly begun to bring Mannarkkad CPM leader P K Sasi into the new front, though he has not yet responded publicly.

During the last local body elections, CPM rebels in Kozhinjampara contested with the support of the UDF, which caused a major setback for the CPM. A similar strategy with UDF backing is now being considered. The rebels have decided to hold a district-level convention soon.

Political observers believe that if the rebels unite, it could impact the CPM’s prospects in constituencies such as Ottapalam, Mannarkkad, Nenmara and Tarur. Though CPM leaders say they are unaware of the rebel move, the party is closely monitoring the developments.