In a series of unfolding political dramas reminiscent of PV Anvar’s fallout with the CPI(M), the Congress party in Kerala now finds itself in the crosshairs of a similar rebellion — this time from P Sarin.
As Sarin is most likely to contest from the Palakkad Assembly constituency as a CPI(M)-backed independent, the parallels between the two leaders and their ruptures with their respective parties are striking.
Both Anvar and Sarin cited neglect, targeted senior leaders, threatened more revelations, and faced immediate consequences for speaking out.
Sarin’s attack on the Congress leadership signals deeper rifts within the party, especially his allegation of a three-member caucus group.
Also Read: Palakkad assembly bypoll sparks public sparring in Congress Kerala unit
Sarin’s challenge: a bold strike against Congress leadership
For the second consecutive day, P Sarin held nothing back as he launched a scathing critique of the Congress leadership.
His most controversial allegation centred on the existence of a covert “three-member caucus” that controls crucial party decisions.
According to Sarin, this faction is spearheaded by Leader of the Opposition (LoP) VD Satheesan, along with MP Shafi Parambil, and Rahul Mamkootathil, the Congress candidate for Palakkad.
He charged the trio with hijacking party affairs, sidelining key voices, and undermining internal democracy.
Sarin’s attacks were not merely organizational but also deeply personal. He accused Satheesan of arrogance, labelling him as a leader incapable of engaging politely.
His remarks on Rahul Mamkootathil were sharper, branding him a “mini-Satheesan” and accusing him of engaging in appeasement politics.
Sarin alleged that the trio’s handling of the candidate selection process was a “sham,” and that Shafi Parambil’s shift from Palakkad to Vadakara was orchestrated to give the BJP a strategic advantage.
Sarin’s expulsion: a calculated move?
Sarin’s criticisms of the Congress leadership culminated in swift retaliation from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), which expelled him from the party for “grave misconduct and indiscipline.” However, Sarin was prepared for the fallout.
In an almost pre-emptive move, as he came to know about his expulsion in the midst of the press conference, he immediately aligned himself with the Left Democratic Front (LDF), declaring that his candidacy now rests with the CPI(M) leadership.
“Even if I don’t get the candidature, the battle in Palakkad will be between appeasement politics and the politics of truth,” Sarin proclaimed.
This rapid shift in allegiance echoes PV Anvar’s trajectory.
Both leaders have framed their break with their former parties not as personal betrayals but as necessary battles against entrenched power structures.
Dr P Sarin has been expelled from the primary membership of the @INCIndia party for engaging in anti-organizational activities and violating party discipline, as announced by @INCKerala. The KPCC has also decided to immediately reorganize the Digital Media Cell.
At the same… pic.twitter.com/9X7FdCf5zt
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) October 17, 2024
CPI(M)’s calculated risk: A pragmatic strategy?
The CPI(M) district leadership in Palakkad has confirmed that a final decision on Sarin’s candidature will be made during the district committee meeting on Friday, 18 October.
For the CPI(M), Sarin’s inclusion as an independent candidate could provide a much-needed boost in a key constituency where they are yet to find a foothold – losing the battle since the 2011 elections and coming third in the 2016 and 2021 elections.
However, the party also knows well that embracing a controversial figure expelled by the Congress carries risks as it will have to convince the grassroot level party workers of his selection.
It is also worth noting that Satheesan has alleged that Sarin’s attacks were orchestrated by MB Rajesh, the Minister for Local Self-Governments and MLA from Thrithala.
According to Satheesan, some ministers and CPI(M) legislators had already raised similar allegations during the just concluded Assembly session, and he had countered them there.
This accusation adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting that Sarin’s revolt may have been influenced, or at least encouraged, by CPI(M) insiders.
Also Read: Bypolls for Palakkad, Chelakkara, Wayanad are more than just a battle for seats
Broader picture
The clarion call for the revolt made by Sarin exposes deep fissures within the Congress party. His departure raises questions about the party’s internal functioning, especially under Satheesan’s leadership as LoP.
Sarin’s accusation that Satheesan runs the party through a “coup” points to a larger power struggle within the Congress that has yet to be resolved.
At the same time, Sarin’s decision to switch sides reveals a pattern in Kerala’s political landscape, where disgruntled leaders increasingly find new homes in rival camps. Padmaja Venugopal joining the BJP is another example.
With P Sarin now following a trajectory similar to that of PV Anvar, Kerala’s political landscape seems to be witnessing a new trend where dissenting voices refuse to fade away quietly.
The upcoming election in Palakkad will be closely watched, not only for the outcome but also for the narratives it will shape about political loyalty and ideological realignments.
For Sarin, the election represents more than just a campaign — it is a battle between “appeasement politics” and what he calls “the politics of truth.” Whether Sarin can successfully channel his disillusionment into electoral success remains to be seen.
However, one thing is clear: his revolt has posed fresh challenges to the Congress and offering the CPI(M) a strategic opportunity to consolidate its position in Palakkad.
For the Congress, if Sarin is contesting, it will literally be a battle with the result nothing short of winning.
In the case of BJP, they will fancy their dreams of emerging as the dark horse.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
