Infighting intensifies; Regional factionalism causing headache to CPM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM in Kerala is facing an unprecedented crisis as infighting within the party has escalated into violent outbursts. The situation has become extremely challenging for the CPM leadership, particularly with the Party Congress scheduled to take place in April. The brawl at the Kulasekharam North local conference followed by the incident where state leaders were locked up inside the hall, culminated in the dissolution of the Karunagappally Area Committee on Saturday.

In Alappuzha, the party suffered a setback after former Kayamkulam Area Committee member Bipin C Babu left the party and joined the BJP. The other day, the party was shocked to see leaders, including local committee members, taking part in a demonstration towards the area committee office in Karunagapally with the banner of 'Save CPM'.

The crisis has deepened in Palakkad, where intense factionalism has split party leaders and members into two groups in Kozhinjampara. In a shocking turn of events, an alternative party office was opened in the area, which was inaugurated by an area committee member who also serves as the standing committee chairman of the panchayat.

From corruption to sexual harassment allegations
The slogan 'Save the party from looters' was prominently heard during the march to the Karunagappally Area Committee office the other day. Meanwhile, social media is getting flooded with allegations of sexual misconduct and corruption against leaders following the dissolution of the Area Committee on Saturday.

Kollam district—known as a stronghold of the VS faction—had not witnessed regional infighting of this magnitude even during the period when the VS and Pinarayi factions used to clash with each other. Leaders who were earlier divided into two factions are now fragmented into multiple factions.