The CPI(M) has chosen to support independent candidate Dr P Sarin, a Congress turncoat, for the upcoming Palakkad by-election, sparking discussions.
Published Oct 25, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 25, 2024 | 9:00 AM
From Congress Media Cell Head to CPI(M) Palakkad Candidate- Dr. P. Sarin emerges as the most talked-about figure in Kerala's by-poll landscape.
On 13 November, Kerala will be witnessing bypolls to one Lok Sabha seat and two Assembly constituencies, including the high stakes contest in Wayanad. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is making her electoral debut.
However, unexpected developments in the Palakkad Assembly constituency had taken away some focus from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which was vacated by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
In Kerala’s dynamic political scene, where loyalties change as quickly as the monsoon rains, an important shift has occurred. The CPI(M) has chosen to support independent candidate Dr P Sarin, a Congress turncoat, for the upcoming Palakkad by-election, sparking discussions
Dr Sarin’s academic and professional background reflects a remarkable track. He earned his MBBS degree in 2007 from Kozhikode Medical College and cracked the civil service examination in 2008. He secured a rank of 555, paving the way for his entry into the Indian Accounts and Audit Service.
His initial posting in Thiruvananthapuram was followed by a stint in Karnataka as Deputy Accountant General.
However, in 2016, Sarin decided to leave civil service and enter politics. His engagement with the Congress party intensified following the controversies surrounding the BBC documentary in 2023, leading to his appointment as the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Digital Media head after Anil Antony’s resignation. Now he is the LDF’s candidate.
In a conversation with South First, Sarin expressed his thoughts and aspirations.
Q: Why did you choose to be with CPI(M), which is Congress’s major opponent in Kerala after all these years of association with INC?
A: The Congress party in Kerala seems to have taken a path that could ultimately undermine Rahul Gandhi’s vision, which is encapsulated in his phrase, “Nafrat ke bazaar mein kholenge mohabbat ki dukaan.” (A shop of love will be opened in the market of hate.)
For the past 40 years, Kerala has experienced a cycle of governance between the CPI(M) and Congress, but in the recent Assembly elections, the people have consistently rejected Congress.
Over the last 3.5 years, the Congress in Kerala has attempted to sow communal divisions, which contradicts Rahul Gandhi’s inclusive politics. Instead of fostering unity, the party’s actions in Kerala seem aimed at eroding the secular fabric of our nation. This divisive strategy has resulted in increasing dissent from allies within the UDF itself.
The primary goal of the Congress in Kerala appears to be regaining power at any cost. However, as part of the broader INDIA alliance, it is essential for the CPI(M) to adopt a more constructive and inclusive political approach. Therefore, I align myself with the CPI(M), as it is the only party in Kerala capable of truly opening a “mohabbat ki dukaan.”
Q: A major media house in Kerala reported your statement that “the Ottappalam Assembly constituency is a seat that no one in Congress wants.” However, many political analysts suggest you have a strong chance of winning this seat in the 2026 assembly elections. Don’t you think it would be wise to show a bit of patience and wait for a few months?
A: I didn’t make a statement like that. That media house interpreted my words based on their politics, and I have nothing to do with that.
Ottappalam is a stronghold of CPI(M), which is comparatively less appealing to candidates from other parties. Even after recognising this fact, I chose to contest from there. Despite my failure, I continued in Ottappalam.
It’s important to note that it was not the state leadership but the high command that chose my candidature from Ottappalam.
For the people, if they have reasons to accept a candidate and their ideology for a true cause, anything can happen anywhere, it cannot be predicted. That’s the beauty of democracy.
A prime example is the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where BJP claimed they would win more than 400 seats. But look at what the South showed the BJP, it’s as simple as that.
Q: Former Youth Congress secretary AK Shanib is contesting as an independent candidate from Palakkad. How do you analyse these developments? Will it create additional pressure in the political landscape?
A: I don’t want to delve into a deep analysis of these developments, but I believe that my efforts in continuing to observe and highlight the points I’ve raised will be beneficial.
Not just Shanib’s voice or the concerns he expressed, many others within the Congress party will defenitely stand up against the issues I pointed out.
It’s not just about who voices opposition, but rather the substance of their statements that matters. It will be interesting to see how Congress responds to these internal dissenting voices.
But I can assure you of one thing, those who genuinely care about the Congress will step away from the party’s organisational setup, while the leaders within will likely remain oblivious to what the Congress truly represents.
Q: How would you convince voters during your campaign? For the average voter, conflicts with the Congress party might not be a compelling reason to support you. If a common citizen asks, “Why should I vote for Sarin?” how would you respond?
A: I find this question quite interesting. What my party and I are doing is clearly communicating who I am. I am someone who studied in a government school, earned my MBBS degree from Calicut Government Medical College, and aspired to join the civil service. At the age of 32, I resigned from the civil service to enter politics, all without any political godfathers.
If someone has sacrificed so much for a purpose, it is essential that they are driven by justice and social responsibility. This is a crucial point I’m sharing with the people.
Moreover, I believe that elections are not just about the candidate. It’s vital to communicate the importance of voting for the CPI(M).
We also engage in discussions about why this by-election is taking place. In the previous election, E Sreedharan, the Metro Man of India, received support from people who admired him, they didn’t mind the BJP’s lotus symbol. So this time, those who admire my persona will vote for the CPI(M). Our campaign encompasses all of these elements.
Q: When you left Congress, BJP also contacted you. For a constituency like Palakkad, BJP seems to have a better chance of winning than CPI(M) based on past elections. Even Anil Antony, AK Antony’s son, who was in charge of Congress’s media cell, joined BJP. So why didn’t you choose the BJP?
A: Please don’t frame me in that way. If the BJP were a better choice, I would have supported them in 2016 when I resigned from civil service. Politics is about conviction. I can’t say yes to the BJP.
In India, what the BJP represents is significant, and it’s our responsibility to expose its true colours to the people. In Kerala, the BJP has a different strategy, they choose figures like E Sreedharan and Suresh Gopi because that’s the only way they can gain votes in the state.
Q: Shafi Parambil MP and your opponent Rahul Mamkoottathil have huge fanbases on social media. As a previous digital media head, how did you observe this? Will it benefit them?
A: A politician cannot rely solely on social media followers, as such support can be artificially created. True politicians may not always have a massive presence on social platforms, but they build deeper connections with the people and wield significant influence within society.
Individual praise can ultimately backfire on the Congress party. Public acceptance cannot be earned through social media fan pages or financial incentives, it is the ground reality that matters in politics. It’s not just about the superficial allure of social media.
Q: Many including Chelakkara’s UDF candidate, Ramya Haridas, believe that Priyanka Gandhi could influence the Assembly elections. The crowd in Kalpetta when she filed nomination demonstrated significant political strength. Do you think Wayanad needs a North Indian politician?
A: Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in Wayanad is going to benefit Dr P Sarin in the Palakkad Assembly constituency. If people think about it, they will get the answer.
It’s not appropriate for the media to divide into North and South Indian perspectives. She is an Indian politician. If she chooses Wayanad to express her political views, there is nothing wrong with it. She is a major figure in the INDIA bloc.
Q: You were once a strong critic of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Have you met him? If so, was there any awkwardness in facing him?
A: I haven’t met the chief minister in person yet, but we spoke over the phone and discussed the matter. He smiled and mentioned that he has faced criticism from various quarters. He approaches all criticism with a positive political spirit.
However, that doesn’t mean he dismisses all feedback. He focuses on constructive criticism that can help him improve.
Q: Dr Soumya Sarin, your spouse, has been dealing with severe cyber attack in recent days. She has an identity beyond being Dr P Sarin’s wife in society and cyberspace. However, for one partner’s choices or decisions, the other partner comes under constant pressure. Did this lead to any conflicts?
A: Dr Soumya and I have a better understanding of each other’s space, both within the family and on social media. Those who were targeting Soumya have been exposed.
Previously, all cyberbullying was blamed on the CPI(M), but now the masks have fallen. To win elections, the Congress in Kerala is willing to attack anyone. That’s why I’ve said Congress in Kerala will ultimately defeat Rahul Gandhi. What they are showcasing is pure hate politics.
As a life partner, Soumya has the strength to defend herself against these attacks, and perhaps she will act as a shield for me too.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
