"This is actually CPI (M)'s non-fulfilment of suitable candidates": UDF Convenor MM Hassan
Oct 18, 2024
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 18 : United Democratic Front Convener MM Hassan on Friday said that the decision by the CPI (M) to field P Sarin, who was recently expelled from Congress as the Left Democratic Party's candidate for Palakkad Assembly bypolls was because they could not find a suitable candidate.
Speaking to ANI, Hassan said "CPI (M) is going to announce P Sarin, who was expelled from Congress as its candidate from the Palakkad Assembly constituency. They cannot find a suitable candidate, this is actually CPI (M)'s non-fulfilment of suitable candidates. Palakkad was a seat with a stronghold of the Marxist party, but in the last two elections, their candidates have come in the third place."
Further, he alleged that Sarin was an arch-opportunist who strongly opposing the CPM.
"P Sarin is an arch-opportunist and he was strongly opposing CPI (M) and is now upholding the red flag. Over the night, he has changed his sides. Choosing him shows as the non-fulfilment," Hassan said.
On October 17, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee removed Sarin from the primary membership of the party for anti-organisation activities and violating the party discipline.
Sarin was the Convenor of the Digital Media cell of Congress.
Sarin had made remarks and said that Congress should reconsider their decision to field Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil as the candidate for Palakkad's bypoll and raised serious allegations against Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, VD Satheesan.
On October 15, ECI announced bypolls to 48 assembly constituencies including nine seats in Uttar Pradesh and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala to be held on November 13. Counting will be held on November 23.
The announcement was made by the Chief Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at a press conference in which he also announced dates of assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, VD Satheesan and BJP state president K Surendran also wrote a letter to the ECI, and the CPIM state secretariat also released a statement on Tuesday requesting the postponement of the bypoll. They cited Kalpathi Ratholsavam, a local chariot festival held annually in Kalpathy village, Palakkad, and it is to be held from November 13 to 15 this year.
