CPM expels journalist-turned-politician K Sreekantan over rebel move

Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has expelled K Sreekantan, former bureau chief of Deshabhimani daily and a local committee member of the party in Ulloor, here on Wednesday. According to party sources, the Left party took action against him after he decided to contest the local body elections in Ulloor as a rebel candidate and sharply criticised CPM state committee member and former minister Kadakampally Surendran.

Despite the party’s decision, Sreekantan said he would not withdraw his nomination. He decided to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming polls after the CPM denied him a seat and named former branch secretary S Liju as its official candidate for the Ulloor ward.

According to Sreekantan, the party announced another candidate for the ward when his election campaign had already entered its tenth day. He accused Kadakampally Surendran of pressuring the party leadership to reject his candidacy. He also claimed that senior leaders, including CPM state secretary MV Govindan, did not respond to the complaint he had raised.

“The party will oust anyone who is disliked by Kadakampally Surendran. The party has not given any explanation for denying my candidacy. Yesterday, I was informed of my expulsion. They took action without seeking any explanation from my side,” Sreekantan said.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the CPM is facing internal turmoil as numerous members have entered the polls as rebel candidates.