P.K. Sasi Expelled from CPI(M), to Contest Ottapalam Assembly as Independent

P.K. Sasi, a former CPI(M) MLA and district committee member, has been expelled from the party after attending a dissidents' convention in Palakkad. He criticized the current CPI(M) leadership for neglecting cadres and is set to contest the Ottapalam Assembly seat as a United Democratic Front-backed independent. While CPI(M) leaders downplay the impact of his exit, the UDF aims to capitalize on his local influence amid internal party factionalism and anti-incumbency sentiments.