Thiruvananthapuram: In a surprise political development ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, senior leader and former CPM MLA Aisha Potty joined the Indian National Congress on Tuesday.

She was welcomed into the party during Congress-led UDF coordination talks, where Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan received her and formally inducted her into the Congress.

According to media reports, Aisha is likely to be fielded as a UDF candidate from Kottarakkara, following an agreement reached during a meeting with the opposition leader in Thiruvananthapuram a day earlier.

Aisha has stayed away from CPM activities following disagreements with the party leadership. Efforts by the Congress to induct her began earlierin 2025. The speculation intensified when a political resolution at the Congress's Kottarakkara Municipal Workers’ Camp openly praised her, stating that the party doors were open. 

Aisha Potty first made headlines by defeating R Balakrishna Pillai in Kottarakkara,earning the reputation of a “giant killer”. It was a constituency that Balakrishna Pillai had long represented. She went on to serve three consecutive terms as MLA from the region.

A lawyer by profession, Aisha represented the Kottarakara Assembly constituency for three consecutive terms from 2006, establishing herself as a strong grassroots leader. Her political trajectory shifted sharply in 2021 after the CPI-M denied her a ticket, following what was widely seen as a prolonged strain in her relationship with the party leadership, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. She was later gradually relieved of organisational responsibilities, further sidelining her within the party. Addressing the gathering, Aisha said she was prepared for criticism and online abuse following her decision but remained firm in her stand.

“I know I will be attacked in the coming days, but I am not afraid. I acknowledge the opportunities I received from the party I belonged to. I will not speak about my experiences there. I assure you that I will always stand with the people,” she said.

 Reacting to her entry, Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh remarked that while the Congress had repeatedly failed to defeat her electorally, “now we won’t have to”.

IANS inputs