KOCHI: In a move loaded with political significance, the CPM has openly invited Rini Ann George — long considered close to Congress and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan — into its fold at a public function held in Paravur, Satheesan’s home turf.
The invitation came from CPM leader K J Shine at Women’s Resistance, a programme inaugurated by senior leader K K Shailaja on Wednesday to protest cyberattacks targeting women.
Shine, who herself faced a torrent of sexually explicit abuse online in recent months, urged Rini to cross over to the Left camp. “I would urge women like Rini, who is capable of thinking independently, to join us in CPM. This is my personal wish,” Shine declared, adding that Congress still clung to regressive practices akin to smarthavicharam, the discredited ritual trial of Namboothiri women accused of adultery in the early 20th century.
Rini, who has been active in social issues and seen as close to Satheesan, who once described her as “like a daughter,” recently drew attention after she publicly spoke about an unpleasant encounter with a young politician.
Though she refrained from naming the person or the organisation, her remarks triggered a major backlash online.
“My intention was never to malign anyone or weaken any organisation. I only wanted to raise the question of whether young men entering politics should behave like this. For that, I had to face a vicious cyberattack,” she told the gathering.
Following her disclosure, the Congress suspended its MLA, Rahul Mankootathil, after allegations surfaced against him. While the party moved swiftly to contain damage, the episode gave the CPM ammunition to attack its rival, with Shine arguing that CPM would stand by women who speak out rather than silence them.
Shailaja too recalled the intense online harassment she endured during the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign in Vadakara, including the circulation of an abusive message against her in the fake letterhead of Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliar.
By choosing Paravur — the stronghold of Satheesan — as the stage to woo Rini, CPM’s move is being read as both a symbolic message and a direct challenge to Satheesan on his home ground.