KOCHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday admitted Communist Party of India (Marxist) dissidents saying it doesn't want them to join the Congress party or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “The party wants to ensure that they remain with the Left,” CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said addressing a meeting in which more than 500 members who quit the CPM formally joined the junior coalition partner.
“We can never ask those who want to be part of the CPI to join either Congress or the BJP. T.J. Anjalose, who left the CPM and joined the CPI 18 years ago, is now the party’s Alappuzha district secretary. The party will never discriminate the newcomers.”
At the meeting held at Nadakkavu near Mulanthuruthy, more than 2000 people including CPM deserters, their followers and family members joined the CPI. Party district secretary, P. Raju and leaders Kamala Sadanandan and K.N Sugathan, also attended the meet. Led by former CPM leader in Udayamperoor T. Raghuvaran, the dissidents announced their decision during a press conference on Thursday.
