Season of desertions and shifting of allegiances

It is the season of desertions and shifting of allegiances at the grassroots level political arena of Kerala. The latest to jump ship is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Pathanamthitta district committee member and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker Hari Kotteth, who joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Monday reportedly over differences in candidate selection in the Pandalam municipality for the local body elections. The Pandalam municipality, ruled by the BJP, had witnessed protracted factional feuds during its term. Former CPI(M) district secretariat members T.K.G. Nair and Nirmaladevi garlanded Mr. Hari and welcomed him to the party.