Kasthuri, CPI(M) leader Sampath’s brother, becomes BJP candidate

In what could be an embarrassing situation for the Communist Party of India (Marxist), A. Kasthuri, brother of former CPI(M) MP A. Sampath and son of deceased CPI(M) leader K. Anirudhan, will be contesting as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Thycaud ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Mr. Kasthuri had signalled his shift from the ideology of his family members by joining the Hindu Aikya Vedi earlier this year. Back then, he had said that he had informed his brother of his decision.

His name figured on the second list of candidates released by the BJP on Thursday. Mr. Anirudhan, who had served as both MP and MLA, had played a key role in the CPI(M)’s growth in the capital.