Former CPI(M) MLA Aisha Potty joins Congress in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Senior CPI(M) leader Aisha Potty on Tuesday joined the opposition Congress, ending her more than a decade-long association with the Left party.
Potty, who represented the Kottarakkara Assembly constituency for three consecutive terms, formally took Congress membership after arriving at the venue of a day-and-night protest organised by the party in front of the Lok Bhavan here.
The move came as a surprise as Potty had not been active in electoral politics for the past few years.
Her entry into the Congress assumed added significance as it came hours after the Leader of the Opposition hinted at "political surprises" ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Addressing Congress workers in the presence of senior leaders, including K C Venugopal, V D Satheesan, and Sunny Joseph, Potty said she did not wish to make any negative remarks about the CPI(M).
A lawyer by profession, she said she had always engaged with people irrespective of religion, caste or political affiliation and would continue to do so.
Speaking to reporters later, Potty said she "felt neglected within the CPI(M) and was compelled to quit the party as she found it difficult to align with several of its positions."
She said the party was no longer the same as when she had joined it years ago, though she maintained that she had no grievance against its cadres.
Potty said she was prepared to "face criticism and cyberbullying" following her decision and acknowledged that her move might cause distress to her comrades in the CPI(M).
She added that the party’s problems lay with a few decision-makers and said she did not wish to blame anyone.
"They may call me a traitor, but I will always stand with the people," she said.
Responding to remarks by a senior Congress leader that she would contest the next Assembly elections from Kottarakkara, Potty said she had no information about any such decision and asserted that she was not "power-hungry".
Satheesan and other Congress leaders welcomed Potty’s entry into the party, saying major changes were underway in the Congress following the recent civic polls.
Potty had been keeping a distance from the CPI(M) for some time, leading to speculation about a possible switch to the Congress ahead of the elections.
Her participation in public events, including a recent memorial programme for former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy organised by local Congress leaders, had further fuelled speculation, though she had earlier denied such reports.
Potty entered the Kerala Assembly from Kottarakkara in 2006 by defeating Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai. She increased her winning margin in the 2011 elections and registered a decisive victory in 2016 with a margin of over 40,000 votes.
Meanwhile, Potty’s decision drew sharp reactions from senior CPI(M) leader and former minister J Mercykutty Amma, who said there was no situation that warranted her exit from the party.
Mercykutty Amma said the CPI(M) had given Potty all opportunities, including being elected three times as an MLA and serving as district panchayat president.
She alleged that the move reflected "a craving for positions and status", adding that the Left party was capable of "confronting such betrayals."
"If the aim is to stand with all people, how can one go to the UDF?" she asked.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
