A rebel faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (Secular) in Kerala has split from the parent party to form a new outfit [1].
The divide reflects a growing ideological rift within the party regarding alliances with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Because the new group intends to remain aligned with the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the split prevents a total shift toward the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the region [1, 2].
K. Saseendran and Thomas are leading the breakaway group [1]. The faction said it would maintain the name Nationalist Congress Party (Secular) for its new organization [2]. This decision follows a period of tension where the rebel leaders grew opposed to the national leadership's increasing closeness with the NDA [1, 2].
Specific concerns were highlighted during the Baramati Assembly by-election in Maharashtra, where the parent party's ties to the BJP-led alliance became more apparent [1, 2]. This event served as a catalyst for the Kerala faction to distance itself from the central leadership to preserve its standing within the LDF [1].
The new outfit has already begun organizing its internal structure. The group scheduled its first general body meeting for June 20, 2024 [1].
“A rebel faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (Secular) in Kerala has split from the parent party.”
This split underscores the volatility of coalition politics in Kerala, where regional factions often prioritize local alliance stability—specifically with the LDF—over the strategic national shifts of their parent parties. By forming a separate entity, Saseendran and Thomas are attempting to insulate their political influence from the perceived ideological drift of the national NCP (Secular) toward the BJP.
