Kochi: The ongoing strife within the NCP over the post of minister continues to escalate as the faction led by Forest Minister AK Saseendran considers resigning from his MLA position if the party leadership decides to strip him of his ministerial role. In an effort to thwart the official faction’s move to remove him from the ministerial seat, Saseendran has already informed the NCP national leadership and CPM state leadership of his decision to resign as MLA. If Saseendran follows through with this extreme step, it would place both the NCP and the LDF in a difficult position.

According to insiders, Saseendran's chances of continuing as minister have largely diminished, as the national leadership has already decided to support the official faction led by state president PC Chacko. It is expected that the leadership will soon call both Saseendran and Thomas K Thomas, the other MLA of the party, to inform them about the change in ministership. Given the signals indicating their dwindling chances, it is unlikely that Saseendran will travel to New Delhi. Although a three-member team led by NCP state vice president Rajan Master met the national leadership a couple of days ago, the outcome of the meeting was disappointing for them.

Meanwhile, state president Chacko has tasked a three-member committee with discussing the situation with Saseendran to persuade him to step down in favour of Thomas K Thomas. Once this meeting is concluded, the party leadership is expected to formally request Saseendran's resignation.

During the first Pinarayi government, there was an understanding within the party to share the ministership equally between the two MLAs, Saseendran and Thomas Chandy. However, Thomas Chandy served only six months while Saseendran held the position for almost four and a half years. Even during the second Pinarayi government, Saseendran was reappointed as minister based on an agreement to alternate the ministerial role. Yet, with three years already elapsed, Saseendran appears reluctant to relinquish his position to Thomas K Thomas. Consequently, the official faction has taken a strong stance demanding Saseendran's resignation.

It was the faction led by Saseendran that supported PC Chacko's appointment as the state president of the party by sidelining senior leader TP Peethambaran Master. Both Saseendran and Chacko were aligned until recently. However, with the widening rift between Saseendran and Chacko, the state president  has now positioned himself to support Thomas K Thomas and is pushing for Saseendran's removal.