Kochi: A two-time CPM councillor of the Kochi corporation on Monday sought to break ranks with the party by contesting as a rebel in the local body elections. The rebellion by T.K. Shamsuddin, a branch cecretary, follows the party’s decision to field P.A. Subair from the 14th division Thazhuppu.
K. Shamsuddin, who won twice as a CPM candidate with large margins, is contesting as an Independent candidate this time around after resigning from the party.
“I won in 2000 with a margin of 1,400 votes and in 2005, with over 2,300 votes. Last time, another CPM candidate Mumthaz Teacher contested the elections because the division was allocated as a woman’s ward. This time around it was made a general ward and I was approached again by the leaders to contest. But at the last minute, I was sidelined and my close side was made the official candidate due to the intervention of a former area secretary,” he said.
While ruling out the UDF from the competition, Shamsuddin said the contest would be between him and the official party candidate.
“I am confident of emerging victorious. Party leaders asked me to withdraw from the contest but I want to continue representing the people who support me wholeheartedly.”
The rebel candidate though ruled out joining any other party in the future saying he would be a CPM sympathiser for the rest of his life.
