India, March 25 -- The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is confronting a twin challenge of anti-incumbency and internal rebellion in four of its key strongholds ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, as senior leaders turn dissidents and enter the fray as Independents backed by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

Though widely regarded as a party with disciplined cadres who rarely step out of line, this time four leaders from within the CPI(M)'s ranks, including one with a six-decade association as a minister and MLA, have entered the electoral contest, openly challenging the organisation and its leadership on grounds such as nepotism, financial misappropriation and erosion of ideological values. The rebels are G Sudhakara...