CPI’s incumbent MLA from Kerala’s Nattika seat, C.C. Mukundan, has joined the BJP and will contest the upcoming assembly polls from the same seat.
Last week, Mukundan triggered a “payment seat” controversy after he came out with allegations against the CPI leadership. Mukundan alleged that the party was fielding former Nattika MLA Geetha Gopi in his place because she could bring in funds. Gopi had represented Nattika in 2011 and 2016.
On March 14, Mukundan posted that he would expose corruption involving Geetha Gopi in the coming days. “This is clearly a paid seat. When Geetha Gopi was brought from Guruvayur and made an MLA in 2011, people knew her financial condition at the time. The public can also clearly see how her financial status has changed after ten years as an MLA,” he said.
Mukundan also alleged that after he became MLA in 2021, several contractors came forward with complaints against former MLA Gopi. “When I informed the party about these matters, the local party leadership continued to protect her. By fielding her again as a candidate, certain leaders in the CPI have deviated from communist ideals,” he said. Nevertheless, the CPI officially announced Gopi as its candidate yesterday.
Incidentally, Mukundan himself has now shed his communist tag and joined the BJP.
Mukundan, who was ousted from the CPI in the aftermath of his allegations against the leadership, had initially attempted to secure a seat with the UDF. He had met KPCC president Sunny Joseph and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala at Kerala House in Delhi. However, the Congress did not make any commitment to Mukundan, and the local leadership of the party opposed fielding him.
After taking membership in the BJP, Mukundan said he expects the party to field him. He added that he joined the saffron party after seeing how it works for marginalised sections, especially SC/ST communities. Mukundan also said he would contest on the lotus symbol if he is granted the seat.
Earlier in March, CPI leader and former MLA K. Ajith joined the BJP. Ajith—who accepted membership from BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar—was the MLA representing Vaikom from 2006 to 2016.
Speaking to THE WEEK in an exclusive interview last week, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had said that when someone becomes ideologically disillusioned with a party and wants to serve the people through the BJP, he sees that as something positive and welcome.
“When joining the BJP, Ajith said something very meaningful at the press conference. He said he felt he could not do much for his community within the Communist Party and believed he could serve his people better through the BJP. There will be many people who feel the same way,” Chandrasekhar noted.
The CPI(M) is also facing the challenge of ousted rebels in multiple seats. Former minister and veteran communist G. Sudhakaran, who has left the CPI(M), has already initiated his campaign against the party candidate in Ambalapuzha.
Meanwhile, in Payyannur, ousted leader V. Kunjikrishnan—who had raised serious allegations of financial misappropriation against sitting CPI(M) MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan—has announced his candidature as an independent after the CPI(M) decided to field Madhusoodanan once again.