KOTTAYAM: Suresh Kurup, former SFI President and Kerala University Union Chairman in the 1980s, stepped down from the party without even becoming a member of the state committee. Just for a namesake, Suresh will continue in the party as a branch committee member of the CPM. Suresh was aghast over the party's denial to induct him into the state committee even while giving membership to many junior leaders.

The district meeting of the party on Sunday accepted Suresh Kurup's request to be excluded from the district unit. Even during last year’s district conference, Suresh came with a similar request but was rejected by the leadership. But on Saturday night, the leadership discussed Suresh’s letter and reached a decision.

The leadership assessed it would be wise to accept Suresh’s demand so as to escape from flak for denying him opportunities. Moreover, the fact that Suresh had to occasionally shift residence between Ernakulam and Kottayam, fitted as a prudent reason to blame the leader for being inactive in the party.

Kurup has been distancing away from party programs in protest over the neglect. There was a recent campaign in the party saying Kurup was unwell, a framed reason for the party ignoring him. However, sources close to him said that Kurup was healthier than the current set of leaders in CPM.

With an illustrious 26-year-old experience in Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assembly, Suresh was expected to be given a minister berth or speaker in the first Pinarayi government but was snubbed. Kurup, respected even by opposition politicians as an outstanding parliamentarian, was the CPM's trump card in Kottayam, an all-time UDF bastion.

Kurup's parliamentary career began with the title of being the only CPM representative who won from Kerala in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. He defeated Kerala Congress chairman and sitting MP Skaria Thomas. It was rumoured that even the opposition voted for Kurup in the elections. Such was his appeal among the people. Kurup also has the distinction of trumping political stalwarts including PC Chacko and Ramesh Chennithala.

Although facing defeat to Jose K. Mani in 2009, Kurup later made it to the state assembly from Ettumanoor two consecutive times. Many believe that the CPM did not fully utilize Kurup, a popular leader having connection with the masses. As of now, many political parties including Congress are trying to fish in troubled waters and bring Kurup to their camp. The political future of Suresh Kurup will be decisive and CPM will be keenly following it with bated breath.