Kerala's Political Landscape: Defectors Face Electoral Hurdles as CPM Adopts Cautious Stance
In the ever-evolving political arena of Kerala, switching sides has not consistently translated into electoral success. While political parties across various fronts have demonstrated a willingness to absorb leaders from rival camps, their strategies for offering electoral opportunities diverge significantly. The latest candidate list released by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, has brought this stark contrast into sharp focus, revealing a nuanced approach to defectors.
Exclusion of Key Defectors Sparks Resentment
The omission of P Sarin from the CPM candidate list has garnered particular attention in the Palakkad region. Sarin resigned from the Congress party after being denied the Palakkad assembly seat, subsequently contesting as a CPM-backed independent candidate—a race he ultimately lost. His supporters had anticipated that CPM would compensate him with a formal ticket in the current elections. However, his name was conspicuously absent from the final list, reportedly triggering resentment among workers who had followed him out of Congress. Notably, Sarin had previously lost the Ottapalam seat in 2021 while running as a Congress candidate.
He is not an isolated case. Several Congress leaders who defected to CPM in recent years now find themselves relegated to organizational or advisory roles rather than electoral ones. K P Anil Kumar, who made a high-profile exit from Congress, has not been fielded this time. He downplayed the omission, stating he had never actively sought a seat. "I contested only when the party asked me to. Such opportunities are decided based on multiple factors," he remarked. P S Prasanth, appointed president of the Travancore devaswom board under the Left Democratic Front (LDF), also remains outside the electoral fray after his tenure ended controversially amid the Sabarimala gold theft issue. Other defectors—including G Rathikumar, Shobhana George, and A K Shanib—have similarly not been considered for tickets despite the visibility of their political shifts.
Grassroots Unease Influences CPM's Strategy
Within CPM, a longstanding unease persists among grassroots workers regarding the allocation of electoral tickets to leaders who switch sides just before elections. Cadres who have dedicated decades to building the organization often perceive such moves as unfair shortcuts. Political observers indicate that the leadership has factored in this sentiment, resulting in a cautious and measured approach. While the party remains open to accepting defectors, it is far less willing to guarantee them an electoral future, prioritizing loyalty and long-term commitment over immediate political gains.
Veteran leader K V Thomas presents a distinct case. Without formally taking CPM membership, he became a close associate of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and was appointed Kerala's special representative in Delhi. Yet, the party has shown little inclination to reintegrate him into active electoral politics, further underscoring its selective stance.
Contrasting Approaches Across Political Fronts
In contrast, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has historically adopted a more accommodative approach, according to political and social observer M N Karassery. He cites figures like M V Raghavan and K R Gowri, both political realigners who were not only absorbed but also elevated to ministerial positions. "That reflects a pattern where UDF has been more willing to integrate and elevate such leaders within its power structure," Karassery explains.
This tradition appears to continue selectively. For instance, Sandeep Warrier, a former BJP spokesperson, was quickly fielded by Congress in Trikaripur after switching sides, injecting unexpected contest into an otherwise one-sided seat. In parallel, Congress has extended tacit or open support to leaders who exited the Left without formally joining the party. Figures such as G Sudhakaran, P K Sasi, and P Kunhikrishnan have benefited from this approach, with the party either backing them or choosing not to field strong candidates against them in specific contexts.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with its relatively limited footprint across much of Kerala, also has room to position newcomers—as evidenced by CPI defector C C Mukundan.
Return Journeys Highlight Political Fluidity
Meanwhile, the return journeys of certain politicians are equally telling. P V Anvar, once a Congressman, later aligned with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after securing LDF backing and winning from Nilambur, eventually fell out with the front. His subsequent shift to UDF has now earned him a contesting seat in Beypore. Similarly, Karat Razzaq, who began his career in the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and later contested against UDF with LDF support in 2016, has since returned to the IUML fold and is now openly critical of LDF.
These dynamics underscore the fluid and often unpredictable nature of Kerala's political landscape, where defection does not always guarantee electoral rewards, and parties carefully balance integration with internal cohesion.
