Kozhikode: The Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMPI) has decided not to field its candidate in Vadakara constituency, its stronghold, in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Instead, it will support either an independent candidate acceptable for them, if fielded by the UDF, or the UDF candidate, whoever it maybe, sources said.
The RMPI, a breakaway faction and the archrival of the CPI(M) in Kerala, had an alleged tacit understanding to support the Congress-led UDF candidate in the constituency in the 2014 polls.
“The RMPI's central committee is yet to decide on fielding a candidate, but as of now, there is no plan to field a party candidate (in Vadakara),” a party source told Onmanorama.
Though the state committee took a decision to support the UDF, considering it as a strong opposition to the CPI(M)-led LDF as well as the BJP, they are yet to convince the workers in the grassroot level. Sources inside the party said that if the Congress or its ally is contesting from Vadakara, RMPI leaders like K K Rema will not campaign in the open.
“The CPI(M) is opposing the Congress only in Kerala. In a larger picture, they have to oppose the BJP at the Centre. In Kerala, even among the Marxists, there is a huge section that is anti-CPI(M). Even after Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) joining the LDF, it is not sure, if they would campaign and vote for the CPI(M),” the source said, listing reasons for its decision to back the UDF.
Vadakara has been a stronghold of the party, since 2009 when TP Chandrasekharan formed it after leaving the CPI(M). In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Chandrasekharan could gain 21,833 votes. After Chandrasekharan's murder in 2014, Kumaran Kutty contested from Vadakara constituency and he got 17,299 votes. It is also calculated that a share of the RMPI's votes went to Congress candidate Mullappally Ramachandran.
In the 2016 Assembly election, Chandrasekharan's widow K K Rema showed a tight competition, and garnered 20,504 votes. Now, with the Veerendrakumar-led LJD shifting to the Left Democratic Front, the backing of a prominent local party is crucial for the UDF in Vadakara.
As an indication of the secret alliance, the UDF is not fielding any candidate in the upcoming panchayat by-election in Onchiyam on February 14, necessitated by the death of RMPI's ward member Gopinathan. From RMPI, P Sreejith and from CPI(M), Rajaram Thyppayi are contesting, whereas the Congress decided not to field any candidate.
Though KPCC chief Mullappally Ramachandran has decided not to contest from Vadakara this time, the party is of the view that nobody could be a winnable replacement for him in the segment. Vadakara parliament constituency committee of the Youth Congress recently passed a resolution to retain Mullappally in the seat.
Mullappally's victory margin dipped steeply to 3,306 in 2014 from 56,186 in 2009.