CPM refrains from taking action for loss in Thrikkakara by-election

Kochi: Despite speculations about potential disciplinary measures against those accountable for the Thrikkakara by-election defeat in 2022, the CPM has chosen not to take any action against its local leaders.

While the party took the step of suspending two senior leaders for the loss in the assembly election in Thrikkakara, it remains unclear why the CPM has opted to remain silent regarding their defeat in the by-poll, where Uma Thomas of the Congress emerged victorious by a significant margin.

Earlier, the party appointed a committee, comprising veteran leaders AK Balan and TP Ramakrishnan, to examine the party's loss in Thrikkakara. The committee found that undesirable tendencies and failure in the party's electoral plans led to their loss in Thrikkakara. 

Meanwhile, several complaints were raised within the party over the selection of candidate to contest in Thrikkakara. Prior to the announcement of the LDF candidate, several wall writings appeared in Thrikkakara, backing District Committee member KS Anilkumar to be the candidate. 

Further, some leaders also expressed disappointment over LDF selecting John Joseph as the party candidate, who was viewed as a representative favoured by Christian communities.

The report was considered by the state secretariat and later by the district committee. However, senior leaders dodn't reach a consensus over the matter.