CPI(M) Reinstates Binish Kottiyari After Three Years Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has reinstated Binish Kottiyari, the son of former state secretary Kottiyari Bala Krishna, into the party after three years. The decision, taken under the guidance of party leader Pinarayi Vijayan, marks a significant move following a prolonged period of exclusion. Binish, who had been expelled in 2020 after being arrested in a drug-related case, was cleared of all charges in 2023. His reinstatement was approved by the Thrissur district committee branch, which included him in its ranks despite earlier resistance at the state level. The reinstatement followed four unsuccessful requests from Binish to the party leadership. While the district-level authorities showed no opposition to his re-admission, the state leadership had expressed concerns due to the controversial nature of the case. The party had previously faced criticism for its handling of the matter, which involved a high-profile legal battle. Binish’s expulsion in 2020 was a direct consequence of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October 2020, linked to financial dealings tied to a drug case in Bengaluru. The party’s central committee had then revoked his membership, citing the legal proceedings. Binish’s journey within the party spanned over two decades. From 2001 to 2020, he was an active member, but his career took a turn when he was implicated in the case. After his acquittal in 2023, he sought reinstatement, arguing that his legal troubles were unrelated to his party involvement. The decision to reinstate him reflects the party’s willingness to reconcile with former members, though the process was marked by internal debates.#communist_party_of_india_marxist #enforcement_directorate #pinarayi_vijayan #binish_kottiyari #thrissur_district_committee
CPM Faces Backlash After Electoral Defeat, Calls for State Secretary Resignation Kochi: Following a significant defeat in the 2026 assembly elections, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) state secretary, M.V. Govindan, has come under sharp criticism on social media from party supporters. The backlash emerged after Govindan shared a Facebook post detailing the party’s response to the election results, which saw the CPM lose 41 seats compared to the 2021 polls. In 2021, the party had secured 67 seats, but this time, it managed only 26, marking a stark decline in its electoral performance. The post, which outlined the CPM’s acknowledgment of the defeat and its commitment to addressing the challenges, drew criticism from supporters who accused Govindan of failing to secure the party’s victory. Many users demanded his resignation as state secretary, arguing that his leadership had led to the party’s poor showing. Some comments suggested replacing him with other leaders, including M. Swaraj and P. Jayarajan, who were seen as more capable of steering the party forward. Critics also pointed to internal disputes within the party, particularly regarding ticket allocations, as a contributing factor to the loss. One user highlighted the controversy surrounding the allocation of a seat to PK Shyamala, Govindan’s wife, which they claimed had undermined the party’s campaign. Another comment accused Govindan of prioritizing personal interests over the party’s goals, stating that his failure to address the electorate’s concerns had led to the defeat. The post’s comments included sharp rebukes, with one user writing, “You and your wife are not the ones who should be in power. The people who are acknowledged by the party are the ones who should lead.#communist_party_of_india_marxist #m_v_govindan #m_swaraj #p_jayarajan #pk_shyamala
Vattiyoorkavu Election Result 2026 Kerala: VK Prashanth Edges Ahead in Tight Race The Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency in Kerala has emerged as a pivotal battleground in the 2026 state elections, with a three-way contest shaping the outcome. The seat, located within the BJP-controlled city corporation, is contested by sitting MLA V. K. Prashanth of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Congress leader K. Muraleedharan, and BJP candidate R. Sreelekha. As of 1:10 pm on May 4, 2026, Prashanth held a narrow lead with 25,167 votes, surpassing his nearest rival, Muraleedharan, by 208 votes. Sreelekha, representing the BJP, trailed with 21,749 votes. The race has been marked by intense competition, with each candidate vying to secure the support of voters in a region historically influenced by left-leaning politics. Prashanth, who previously won the seat in the 2021 elections by a margin of over 21,000 votes against BJP’s VV Rajesh, faces renewed challenges from Muraleedharan and Sreelekha. Muraleedharan, a Congress leader, has emphasized his commitment to reviving the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro project, a key promise aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps in the area. Sreelekha, the first woman to serve as Kerala’s Director General of Police, has positioned herself as a strong contender for the BJP, leveraging her experience and visibility to bolster the party’s appeal in the region. The election results reflect the broader political dynamics of Kerala, where the CPI(M) has traditionally held sway but faces growing competition from the Congress and BJP. The Vattiyoorkavu constituency, with its mix of urban and rural voters, has become a microcosm of the state’s shifting political landscape.#kerala #communist_party_of_india_marxist #r_sreelekha #vattiyoorkavu #k_muraleedharan
G Sudhakaran Quits CPI(M), To Contest Kerala Polls as Independent Veteran leader and former minister G Sudhakaran has announced his decision to contest the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections as an independent candidate, marking a significant blow to the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) ahead of the polls. The move comes as Sudhakaran, a prominent figure from the Alappuzha district, resigns from the CPI(M) and vows to campaign on issues such as the criminalization of politics. Sudhakaran, who previously served as a five-term legislator and minister in the state government, will contest from the Ambalappuzha constituency—a stronghold of the CPI(M) that has historically elected senior party leaders like V S Achuthanandan and Susheela Gopalan. In a statement to the media in Alappuzha, Sudhakaran emphasized his commitment to communist ideology, stating, “Politics is the only weapon for the CPI(M). I will not join any other party or seek support from them. I will remain a Communist.” He also warned that personal attacks on him could lead to the party’s downfall, asserting, “If the party attacks me personally, the party will perish.” The decision to quit the CPI(M) follows months of tension within the party. Sudhakaran had previously announced on Facebook that he would not renew his membership, a stance that the CPI(M) leadership attempted to address by reaching out to him. However, he remained resolute, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s treatment of him. A member of the CPI(M) since 1967, Sudhakaran was a founding member of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the party’s student wing, and played a key role in the 1977 campus violence incident that claimed his brother’s life.#g_sudhakaran #ambalappuzha #communist_party_of_india_marxist #alappuzha #students_federation_of_india
Sudhakaran to Contest as Independent from Ambalapuzha, Rejecting Party and Front Allegiances Veteran CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran announced on Thursday that he will contest the upcoming Assembly elections as an independent candidate from his constituency, Ambalapuzha, in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. The decision marks a significant setback for the Communist Party of India (Marxist), as Sudhakaran severed all ties with the party and declared his candidacy without aligning with any political party or front. Sudhakaran cited personal attacks by party cadres on social media platforms as the reason for his exit from the CPI(M). He stated that he would not seek support from the United Democratic Front (UDF) or any other group, emphasizing that he had not reached out to anyone for backing. “There is no question of support from the UDF as I have not sought it. I have not spoken to anyone,” he said during a press briefing. The former minister also ruled out organizing traditional campaign activities such as wall paintings or conventions, asserting that he would focus solely on addressing political issues during his campaign. He clarified that he would not criticize the government directly and remained uncertain about the presence of anti-incumbency sentiment among voters. However, he reiterated his commitment to opposing corruption during the election period. Sudhakaran denied submitting formal complaints to the state committee and stated that all grievances had been resolved at the local level. He emphasized that he had never approached the chief minister or party leadership for intervention or a ticket. Refuting recent media reports, he claimed that several statements attributed to him were inaccurate.#united_democratic_front #g_sudhakaran #communist_party_of_india_marxist #ambalapuzha #sn_college
Kerala veteran CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran to contest as Independent candidate from Ambalappuzha in Assembly polls G. Sudhakaran, a long-serving member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former minister, announced on March 12, 2026, that he would run as an independent candidate from the Ambalappuzha constituency in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. This marks a significant departure from his 63-year association with the party, which he has served since its inception. During a press conference, Sudhakaran emphasized that his decision does not reflect a rejection of the party’s principles, stating he remains committed to its ideals and has no intention of joining any other political party or alliance. Sudhakaran clarified that he would not engage in criticism of the Communist Party or its members, nor would he participate in campaigns involving wall graffiti. He also reiterated his stance against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, asserting that he would not speak ill of the ruling administration. The veteran leader attributed his decision to feel “insulted” by online attacks and the use of AI-generated content to undermine his reputation. He criticized those who dismiss his contributions, calling their behavior un-Marxian and highlighting the dedication of historical communist leaders like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, and Castro, who remained in their positions until their deaths. The decision to contest independently also stems from Sudhakaran’s refusal to apply for membership scrutiny, an annual process within the CPI(M). He claimed the party’s state and district leadership had “spurned and ridiculed” him, leading to his withdrawal from the process. He vowed to “hit back with full force, but with civility,” against any attempts to discredit him.#g_sudhakaran #ambalappuzha #communist_party_of_india_marxist #left_democratic_front #citu
