Palakkad, February 11 (IANS). Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Palakkad district of Kerala is in the news due to possible political reshuffle. The rapidly changing equations here can affect the electoral politics of the state.
According to sources, senior CPI(M) (CPI-M) leader P.K. Sasi and prominent BJP leader Pramila Sasidharan are in active talks about joining Congress. It is being told that opposition leader V.D. Sasidharan wants to carry out a big political development when Satheesan’s ‘Puthuyuga Yatra’ reaches Palakkad.
There is talk of the Congress camp assuring Sasidharan a ticket from Shoranur or Ottapalam seat if she joins the party.
Meanwhile, P.K. There are indications that Sasi is also considering forming a new regional party to show his independent political strength. Political analysts believe that if this happens, a section of traditional Left supporters may be attracted towards him.
The news that will further intensify the political stir is that disgruntled CPI(M) leaders in Kozhinjampara, Mannarkkad and Ottapalam are exploring the possibility of forming a new platform named ‘Democratic Marxist Party’ (DMP). However, it is still a matter of speculation whether Sasi will lead this initiative or eventually join hands with the Congress.
Palakkad district has been considered a stronghold of the Left. In the 2021 assembly elections, the CPI(M)-led LDF had won 10 out of 12 seats, while the Congress-led UDF had won only two seats. BJP had also made its presence felt by finishing second in two assembly constituencies, indicating the competitive political situation of the district.
This district also has special significance because veteran communist leader and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had won from here four consecutive times since 2001, after which he retired from active politics. However, now the news is that his long time personal assistant A. Congress is preparing to field Suresh from the same seat.
On the other hand, Achuthanandan’s son V.A. Arun Kumar’s name is also being mentioned in the list of possible candidates of CPI(M).
Palakkad politics seems to be becoming unstable due to the emergence of several possible political scenarios simultaneously. Political experts believe that if there is any major political divergence here, the Left Front may have to bear the maximum loss.
–IANS
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