The Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), founded by the slain Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] rebel T.P. Chandrasekharan at Onchiyam in Kozhikode district in 2008, is striving to retain its identity as an independent Left party despite its open association with the United Democratic Front (UDF).
The party’s political clout will be put to test in the local body polls as it is planning to field its candidates in more seats this time. The RMP is in power in Onchiyam and Eramala grama panchayats and has elected representatives in Chorod, Azhiyur, and Mavoor grama panchayats and Vadakara block panchayat in Kozhikode district, and Kunnamkulam municipality and Thalikkulam grama panchayat in Thrissur district.
N. Venu, RMP State secretary, says that the party is planning to field candidates in more places in Kozhikode district, such as Vadakara municipality, and efforts are on to expand its presence in districts such as Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam as well.
UDF support
The RMP has got the UDF’s support at the panchayat level for long even though it has been trying to maintain an independent Leftist position on issues ever since its inception. It started openly supporting the UDF from the 2019 Lok Sabha election. In the 2021 Assembly polls, RMP leader K.K. Rema got elected as the party’s first MLA, from Vadakara, with UDF support. The RMP has been a pillar of strength for Congress leader Shafi Parambil, who emerged victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency.
