Congress expels digital media convenor Dr. P Sarin for criticising leadership over Palakkad bypoll
- In Reports
- 04:28 PM, Oct 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Congress party on Thursday expelled its digital media convenor, Dr. P Sarin, from primary membership after he publicly criticised the leadership’s decision to field Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil as the candidate for the Palakkad Assembly bypoll. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) made the announcement while Sarin was addressing a press conference in Palakkad, where he declared his intention to support the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the upcoming election.
During the press conference, Sarin launched a scathing attack on prominent Congress leaders, including opposition leader V D Satheeshan, Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, and Palakkad by-election candidate Rahul Mamkootathil. He accused the party leadership of being controlled by a small faction, leaving no room for party workers to express their views. “The party is in the hands of a caucus. They do not give space to the party workers to express their opinions. Satheeshan has an ‘I am the party’ attitude,” Sarin stated.
Sarin also alleged that Satheeshan had played a role in moving Shafi Parambil from Palakkad to Vadakara, leading to a by-election in Palakkad that Sarin claimed would ultimately benefit the BJP. He further accused the opposition leader of adopting a "soft approach" toward the BJP, which, according to Sarin, had weakened the party's position.
As Sarin made his allegations, the KPCC issued a press release announcing his expulsion from the party for "serious anti-party activities and indiscipline." The release was signed by KPCC president K Sudhakaran, who stated that Sarin's actions had violated the party's code of conduct.
In response, Sarin declared that he would be aligning with the Left, though he would not be standing as a candidate. “I will be working for the Left in this election, though it is not as a candidate,” Sarin said during the press conference.
Reports suggest that the CPI(M) is considering Sarin as a possible candidate for Palakkad, although the final decision will be taken by the district leadership. Sarin praised the CPI(M) for its "systematic party structure" and its commitment to party over individuals, in contrast to what he described as Congress's leadership issues.
Sarin's protest has emerged amid growing dissatisfaction within the Congress ranks over the selection of Mamkootathil for the Palakkad seat. After the AICC confirmed Mamkootathil’s candidacy, Sarin openly voiced his displeasure, warning that if the party did not correct its course and address the influence of a few individuals, Palakkad could become "another Haryana."
The by-election was triggered after Shafi Parambil vacated the Palakkad seat following his election to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara. Sarin's expulsion underscores the internal rifts within Congress as it prepares for a critical battle in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll.
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