Dalit Samudaya Munnani: Dalit leaders announce new outfit ahead of Kerala polls

KOTTAYAM: Members of the dalit community are planning to launch a new political outfit in response to the alleged denial of candidacy to prominent thinker and writer Sunny M Kapicadu and tribal leader C K Janu. The party is set to be called Dalit Samudaya Munnani (DSM).

Addressing a news conference in Kottayam on Thursday, DSM leaders said that the two were denied candidacy because Congress failed to politically include the dalit and adivasi communities. “The inclusive politics proposed by Congress national leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at the Raipur Plenary was abandoned by Congress in Kerala, which could lead to a change in the political climate that had turned favourable for UDF,” said DSM state committee members.




DSM leaders said that initially RSS leaders like R V Babu and Sasikala opposed Kapicadu’s candidacy. “It is understood that some Congress leaders were afraid to counter the RSS stance. The influence and pressure from NSS in determining Congress candidates revealed the oligarchic governance within the party. This is extremely shameful and objectionable. If anyone suspects that RSS sleeper cells are operating within Congress, it would not be wrong. The lack of a stance by Congress in Kerala on the caste census proposed by the national leadership is a clear example,” they said.

The DSM leaders added that Kapicadu received an assurance of a seat. “Even when it was a regular topic in the media, Congress leaders did not deny it. Only on the day the primary list was announced was his candidacy opposed. There is strong public sentiment against this in Kerala, which will undoubtedly be reflected in the elections,” they said. In the local body elections, the dalit and adivasi communities voted in favour of Congress, granting them a significant victory, which should not be forgotten, the DSM leaders said. Since Congress could not consider the dalitadivasi communities as a political entity, the unconditional support of these communities will be reconsidered, and they will support acceptable candidates, they added.

“It is clear that neither the Left nor right fronts are interested in considering the dalit and adivasi communities, who hold a 20% vote share in Kerala. In this situation, it has been decided to form a broad Ambedkarite political party under the leadership of Kapicadu, bringing together marginalized communities, minorities, backward classes, fisherfolk, women, different gender groups, and democrats, and to actively participate in the electoral arena from the next general elections,” said according to DSM state general secretary P A Prasad and organization secretary Bijoy David.Elections 2026 mark a pivotal year for democratic processes across various regions in India and globally. This includes key state assembly elections, local body polls, and by-elections that could significantly impact national-level politics. Get real-time updates, important dates, voting procedures, and verified news — all in one place. Whether you're tracking results or exploring candidate profiles, this is your go-to hub for Elections 2026.