Veteran CPI(M) Leader P Aisha Potty Makes Dramatic Switch to Congress
In a significant political development in Kerala, former three-term CPI(M) legislator P Aisha Potty officially joined the Congress party on Tuesday. The veteran politician, who maintained distance from her party in recent months, made the move in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph welcomed Potty into the party fold. The ceremony took place in the presence of AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and AICC in charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi.
Political Journey and Likely Candidature
Potty represented the Kottarakkara assembly seat continuously from 2006 to 2021. She earned the reputation of a giant killer in the 2006 elections when she defeated prominent UDF leader R Balakrishna Pillai. Pillai had represented that constituency for nearly three decades before her victory.
The lawyer turned politician successfully retained the seat for CPI(M) in both the 2011 and 2016 assembly elections. Now, Congress leaders indicate she will likely contest from Kottarakkara again in the upcoming state polls.
This would put her directly against senior CPI(M) leader and current finance minister K N Balagopal. Kerala assembly elections will take place later this year.
Reasons for the Switch
Potty expressed clear reasons for leaving the party she served for three decades. She stated that the CPI(M) has changed significantly since she first joined. The veteran politician pointed to specific issues within the party structure.
"A few decision makers have made it difficult for me," Potty explained during her joining ceremony. "I have no space in the party anymore. I feel that the party no longer requires my services or presence."
This is not the first time Potty created controversy within CPI(M) ranks. In 2006, she took her legislative assembly oath in the name of god, which embarrassed the officially atheist party. Then state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan censured her for this action.
Broader Political Implications
Opposition leader V D Satheesan hinted at more political shifts before the assembly elections. He suggested that parties and leaders from both LDF and NDA alliances would join the UDF in coming days.
Satheesan specifically addressed speculation about divisions within LDF ally Kerala Congress (M). "There would be surprises," he stated. "We do not want to question the credibility of the Kerala Congress (M) at this moment."
The political landscape in Kerala appears to be shifting as election season approaches. Potty's move from CPI(M) to Congress represents one of the most significant defections in recent months.
Her three-decade association with the Left party makes this transition particularly noteworthy. Political observers will watch closely to see if this signals a broader trend of realignment before the state goes to polls.
