A major rift has surfaced within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Palakkad after area committee member and municipal councillor Abdul Shukkur resigned from the party following a dispute with district secretary E N Suresh Babu.
Background of the Dispute
The fallout occurred during an area committee meeting convened to discuss the recent police action at the CPM district committee office. Sources said allegations were raised suggesting that party positions were being handed out as favours. Shukkur walked out of the meeting and announced his resignation through a Facebook post.
Shukkur's Statement
In the post, he asserted that his positions within the party were earned through years of hard work, not granted as favours. "I reached this position through my own sweat and effort, not through anyone's generosity," he wrote, adding that he had endured emotional pain for the past one-and-a-half years due to remarks made against him internally. "I will not bow before those who behave like feudal lords. Dignity is greater than fake generosity," he said.
Political Context
The resignation comes days after the Assembly election results, in which the Left Democratic Front finished third in the Palakkad constituency — a setback that has already triggered criticism and internal discontent within the party. This is not the first time Abdul Shukkur has publicly challenged the district leadership. During the Palakkad by-election, he had openly criticised E N Suresh Babu. The incident highlights growing factionalism within the CPM in the region, with several members expressing dissatisfaction over the leadership style of the district secretary.
