The CPI(M) in Kerala, which is heading the ruling Left Democratic Front is facing the worst crisis since the party was formed in 1964. Many party seniors are leaving the party on their own to join either the Congress or the BJP. Interestingly, the reason given by these former comrades is that the CPI(M) has been hijacked by Islamic extremists and the party has lost its secular credentials.

The latest leader to quit the party is Madhu Mullassery, an area secretary in Thiruvananthapuram district. In CPI(M) hierarchy, the area secretaries are a law unto themselves and the undisputed leaders of the area under their jurisdiction.

“The party is no more the CPI(M) for which we people toiled heard by sacrificing our youth and life. Islamic terrorists are the ones who determine the policies of the party,” said Madhu before announcing his resignation of the party. In the CPI(M) leaders are not allowed to quit the party as per their whims and fancies. The party’s leadership either oust the “trouble makers” or get them executed by the party appointed assassins.

The case of T P Chandrasekharan, an area secretary who was murdered allegedly by the party’s professional executors is proof of the CPI(M)’s justice administration system. Chandrasekharan was bold enough to question the party leadership for corrupt practices, favoritism and compromise which forced him to leave the party and form the breakaway Revolutionary Marxist Party. The CPI(M)’s assassins murdered him in a gruesome manner by hacking him 52 times in synch with his age.

The CPI(M)’s triennial State Conference is scheduled to be held at Kollam in March 2024. The branch, local, area and district meetings are being held across the State in the interregnum. These meetings see the weeding out of leaders and cadres who have become persona nona grata to the Dons in the party. Many such leaders and cadres have quit the party on their own without waiting for the expulsion order issued by M V Govindan, the state secretary. What is in store for them is worth watching. There is every possibility for such rebels to get killed in mysterious circumstances,” said P Sujathan, author and veteran scribe.

Even G Sudhakaran, former minister and party’s ideologist has been sidelined by the Alappuzha district leadership for criticizing Mohammed Riyaz, the minister for PWD who is also the new husband of Veena, daughter of Chief Minister Vijayan. Riyaz is certain to find a place in the central committee as well as polit bureau of the CPI(M) in the upcoming party congress to be held in Madurai Tamil Nadu in April 2025. The grapevine is the State is that Vijayan is adamant that Riyaz be appointed as the chief minister of the State after the 2026 assembly election.

Though the triumvirate of M A Baby, Thomas Issac and John Brittas, the Christian faces of the party are working to torpedo Vijayan’s dreams to elevate his son-in-law to the top post, the Nair and Eezhava lobbies are against the combination of “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. The CPI(M) has internal divisions like the Travancore and Malabar lobby, the Nairs and Eezhava lobbies, the Christian cartel and finally the Islamic leaders. Elamaram Kareem amd K T Jaleel head the last named group in the party. The Alappuzha district has been totally usurped by the Islamists sensing G Sudhakaran and Kayamkulam MLA Pratibha into political wilderness.

But all is not lost for the comrades. Two top leaders in the BJP are waiting for the right moment to cross over to the CPI(M) with hundreds of their cadres. The year 2025 promises action packed events and shadow boxings.