PALAKKAD: In a shocking end to the bitter tussle within Congress, rebel leader P Sarin has jumped ship and will contest as an LDF-backed independent candidate for the by-polls in Palakkad. It is reported that Sarin has conveyed his consent in this regard to the CPM leaders.

Sarin will not be contesting in the CPM party symbol. The Congress digital media convener had earlier made public his dissonance over the candidature of Rahul Mamkootathil in Palakkad. It is learned that the CPM district secretariat on Wednesday decided to support Sarin. The party looks to milk from the congress rebellion and expects a coup in the congress favouring Palakkad.

It is also indicated that the opinion was expressed in the meeting to capitalize on the discord in Congress. Senior leaders within CPM will come to a final decision only after knowing more about Sarin’s new political manoeuvrings. The district leaders will discuss with the state leadership on the issue.

It is reported that Congress will ignore Sarin and won't hurry for any punitive action. It is an attempt to not give a martyr status to Sarin, while the leadership will adopt an indifferent attitude if Sarin resigns from the party.

P Sarin will conduct a press conference on Thursday and will possibly announce his resignation from Congress.