KUTTANAD: Severe sectarianism within the CPM in Kuttanad has resulted in a mass resignation. Approximately 170 individuals have defected to the CPI from various local committees that were excluded during the last party conference. With 6 out of 9 members of the Ramankari Panchayat joining their ranks, the panchayat administration might be lost to the CPM.

Ramankari Panchayat President and General Secretary of the Travancore Agricultural Workers Union, R Rajendra Kumar along with Panchayat Vice President and State Committee Member of KSKTU, Kunjumol Sivadas and Area Committee Member Ajith, as well as Panchayat members Sajeev Uthumthara, Ramya Sajeev, Roshna and Molji Rajesh, along with other party members are reportedly prepared to leave the party. Around 200 people, along with their supporters are ready to depart as well. It has been reported that workers from local committees such as Veliyanad, Pulingunn, Muttar, Kavalam and Thalavadi under the Kuttanad Area Committee are also considering leaving the party.

Regarding CPI candidates contesting in the Mavelikkara parliamentary constituency, the CPI leadership believes that there is no need for a reception meeting for those departing from the CPM.

The Area Committee joined under the leadership of Minister Saji Cherian after sectarianism arose in some local committees of the CPM Takazhi Area Committee. As part of the effort to resolve issues in the highly sectarian Champakulam Local Committee, it has been decided to replace the current secretary Arun Kumar and reorganize the committee by including some individuals who were excluded during the meeting.