MLA CC Mukundan resigns from CPI, alleges "Payment Seat" in Nattika and challenges Geetha Gopi's selection

THRISSUR: Nattika MLA C.C. Mukundan has resigned from the CPI constituency committee following a dispute over his candidacy for the upcoming assembly elections. He has publicly announced his decision to contest the Nattika seat as an independent candidate. Mukundan also stated that he is prepared to resign from his position as an MLA if the situation necessitates it.

The conflict stems from the party's move to replace him with Geetha Gopi as the candidate for Nattika. Mukundan claims the party is stabbing him in the back and alleges that the constituency has become a "payment seat." He asserts that Geetha Gopi was selected due to her financial influence and her ability to pool money for the party, whereas he is unable to meet such demands. Mukundan further alleged that Geetha Gopi provided 225 sovereigns of gold as a wedding gift to her daughter using pooled funds, and that those who contributed the money had previously approached with complaints.

Tensions between Mukundan and the party have been building for some time. He had previously boycotted the district conference after being removed from the district committee, and he has also faced controversies involving his personal assistant. Mukundan noted that he had hoped to be fielded again after leaders intervened, but his candidacy was ultimately blocked by opposition from the Cherpu constituency committee.

In response to his protest, Congress leaders, including AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala, have reached out to express their support. The Congress party reportedly believes that aligning with Mukundan could help them win the Nattika seat. BJP representatives have also made contact with him.

CPI District Secretary K.G. Sivanandan has warned that the party may take disciplinary action against Mukundan. The CPI has clarified that their candidates have not been officially announced yet. Addressing the controversy, Geetha Gopi stated that her focus remains on the task entrusted to her by the party and that she trusts the people of Nattika will support her, as they have in the past. She dismissed Mukundan's allegations, maintaining that the party will address them.