Senior CPM Leader Aisha Potty Crosses Over to Congress
In a significant political development, three-time MLA and senior CPM leader Aisha Potty has officially joined the Congress party. The switch occurred during a day-night protest organized by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee against the central government.
Public Membership Acceptance
Potty accepted Congress membership directly at the protest venue in front of Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Congress state president Sunny Joseph formally welcomed her into the party fold at the event. This public ceremony marked her transition from the Left Democratic Front to the United Democratic Front.
Potty's Emotional Statement
The former CPM leader made emotional remarks about her decision. "The previous organization caused significant troubles," Potty stated without elaborating further. "I don't wish to discuss it. My work over the years shaped me into who I'm today."
She emphasized that this was not a premeditated move. "I'm not power-hungry. I will continue to work with everyone," Potty declared. The lawyer-politician acknowledged facing long-standing issues but chose not to detail them publicly.
"When we are no longer needed, it is time to say goodbye," she added, hinting at her departure from CPM.
Political Welcome and Speculation
Opposition leader V D Satheesan and AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Deepa Dasmunshi welcomed Potty to the Congress party. Political circles immediately began speculating about her potential role in upcoming elections.
Reports suggest she might become the UDF candidate for the Kottarakkara assembly segment. Her entry into Congress was finalized on Monday during a meeting with Satheesan in the state capital.
Anticipating Backlash
Potty expressed awareness of potential criticism for her decision. She mentioned anticipating harsh social media backlash for accepting Congress membership. At the Congress protest platform, she acknowledged that her move might upset former comrades.
"The issue was with only a few decision-makers, and I do not wish to blame anyone," Potty clarified. "Regardless of one's status, there should be no problem interacting with people."
She prepared herself for potential labels, stating, "I might be labelled a traitor, but I will always stand by humanity."
Political Career Highlights
Aisha Potty's political journey includes notable achievements:
- Her first electoral victory in 2006 was historic - she defeated R Balakrishna Pillai in Kottarakkara, ending his uninterrupted winning streak since 1977.
- She successfully retained the Kottarakkara seat in both the 2011 and 2016 assembly elections.
- In 2021, the CPM denied her a ticket, citing their policy of giving chances to new faces.
- Finance minister K N Balagopal currently represents the Kottarakkara assembly segment.
Recent Political Developments
Potty announced her retirement from active politics in November 2024. The CPM subsequently dropped her from the area committee, allegedly due to insufficient participation in party work.
Her recent activities had fueled speculation about a potential party switch:
- She participated in various public events that raised eyebrows within CPM circles.
- Most notably, she attended a memorial program for former chief minister Oommen Chandy organized by local Congress leaders.
- Despite denying earlier reports about joining Congress, she has now made the transition official.
The political landscape in Kerala witnesses another significant realignment as experienced leaders cross traditional party boundaries. Potty's move adds another dimension to the ongoing political dynamics in the state.
