Internal friction has deepened within the Communist Party of India (CPI) Idukki district unit following disciplinary action against former district secretary K.K. Sivaraman on Monday. The CPI district council removed Mr.Sivaraman from both the district executive and the district council, prompting him to announce the end of his 56-year political career with the party.

According to party leaders, the decision follows Mr. Sivaraman’s open criticism of the party regarding the CPI’s recent election defeat in the Peerumade assembly seat.

Following the announcement, Mr Sivaraman rejected any reconciliation. “The district secretary on Monday said that I can renew my primary membership, but I do not want benevolence from the party,” Sivaraman said. “I didn’t take any action against the party or the LDF (Left Democratic Front). My statements were aimed at raising my voice and position within the LDF,” said Mr Sivaraman.

Mr. Sivaraman’s exit marks a major shift for the local faction, as he has been the face of the CPI in the district for decades. “Mr. Sivaraman served as CPI Idukki district secretary for over 16 years,” a senior CPI leader said. “His positions gave the party a strong voice within the LDF in Idukki over the years.”

The leader further alleged that the approach of the current district secretary, K. Salimkumar, has plunged the party into a deep crisis.

“After Mr. Salimkumar assumed the charge of district secretary, many district council members resigned from the party and joined Congress and the BJP,” the leader said, naming Vinu Scaria, Joy Vadakkedam, and G.N. Gurunathan among those who resigned from the party. “Mr. Vadakkedam has now been nominated to the Idukki District Congress Committee,” said the leader.

The leader also blamed Mr. Salimkumar for the party’s recent electoral loss. “When Mr. Salimkumar was selected as the candidate for the Peerumade assembly constituency, party workers ensured his failure. He lost by a record margin of 27,634 votes against UDF candidate Cyriac Thomas. Had the party fielded any other candidate, the CPI would not have faced such a pathetic debacle in the Peerumade seat, which we held for 20 years,” the leader said.

However, Mr. Salimkumar defended the council’s decision, stating that disciplinary action was necessary due to Mr. Sivaraman’s actions.

“He served a long time as district secretary and is well aware of party procedures,” Mr. Salimkumar said. “He had many ways to raise his voice inside the party, but he chose not to use those channels, and his public statements weakened the party. The decision against him was taken unanimously by the party district council. Furthermore, he walked out halfway through a party meeting, which was a serious violation,” said Mr Salimkumar.