The beginning and history of the SRP:

The beginning and history of the SRP:

In 1974, the RSP (Revolutionary Socialist Party) council meeting passed a resolution to form a new political party. Following this decision, on March 13, 1975, during the 70th anniversary conference of the SNDP (Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam) held in Kollam, a resolution was unanimously passed to establish the Socialist Republican Party (SRP). Based on this, the SRP was formally founded and declared as a political party. Founding leaders of S. R. P. The founding chairman of S. R. P. was Mr. N. Srinivasan, who was also the then S. N. D. P. Yogam President. The founding general secretary was Prof. P. S. Velayudhan, who was also the then Yogam General Secretary. All the other Yogam Council members also started working as party secretariat and executive members. Growth of S. R. P. Based on the decision taken by the S. N. D. P Yogam Board and Council, all the branch offices of the meeting became the party's activity centers and the party's office, board and flag were hoisted in front of all the branch offices and all the branch committees functioned as party committees. Along with this, all the union committees functioned as taluk committees of the party and the party's office, board and flag were hoisted in front of the union offices. In short, S. R. P grew to such an extent in Kerala in a very short time that no other political party in India could. Elections Contested by SRP The Socialist Republican Party (SRP) first fielded candidates in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, the party contested independently between two alliances, each consisting of seven parties. SRP fielded candidates in 57 Legislative Assembly constituencies and 8 Lok Sabha seats. Subsequently, the party continued to contest in the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections held in 1980, 1982, and 1987, as well as in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections, fielding its own candidates.

SRP's Participation in Governance

In the 1982 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, SRP contested as a constituent of the United Democratic Front (UDF). The party succeeded in electing two MLAs. Among them, the founding chairman, Sri N. Sreenivasan, became the Minister for Excise in the K. Karunakaran-led Cabinet. This marked the SRP’s entry into governance and is considered one of the most significant moments in the party’s history. By becoming part of the ruling coalition, SRP had grown into a politically influential force in Kerala that could no longer be ignored. In the election held on March 24, 1987, four candidates from the Socialist Republican Party (SRP) contested, but all four were defeated. However, in that same election, retired judge and SRP's founding chairman N. Sreenivasan contested from the Kottayam Assembly constituency, and T. V. Vijayarajan contested from the Karunagappally constituency—both of whom won. State Committee Developments and Reorganization of SRP (1987 Onwards) The then General Secretary of the party convened a State Committee meeting on July 24, 1987, in Thiruvananthapuram, after a gap of four months. During this meeting, sharp internal disagreements emerged between the then Chairman and the General Secretary, resulting in both resigning and leaving the party. Following their departure, the State Committee restructured the leadership as follows: • Comrade N. Sreenivasan was re-elected as Chairman • Adv. K. P. Chandrasekharan was elected as Vice Chairman • Comrades Pachadi Sreedharan and C. S. Ramachandran were elected as General Secretaries • Comrades S. Ranjith, Adv. T. K. Sreenarayanadas, A. R. Rajeev Sambhavan, M. M. Madhu, and Eravankara Vishwanathan were elected as Secretaries • Dr. Sathyadas was elected as Treasurer The first meeting of the newly formed Secretariat was held on the same day—July 24, 1987. It was resolved that the State Committee would resume active functioning from August 1. Accordingly, from August 1, the State Committee office became operational. Later: • Adv. K. G. Sreenivasapanicker, a member of the State Committee, was appointed as the State Organizing Secretary • Comrade M. N. Damodaran, a member of the State Executive Committee, was appointed as a Party Secretary, cooperating with the Secretariat Following these changes, Secretariat members visited all 14 districts, convened existing District Committees, and conducted district-level workers’ meetings. These efforts informed grassroots workers about the recent developments and initiated steps to strengthen party activity at district, constituency, panchayat, and ward levels.

State Conferences of the Party

In order to correct misconceptions among party workers and the public about the party’s organizational strength and to build a clear and accurate understanding, the party conducted State Conferences at various intervals. These conferences helped strengthen and revive the party, and during these events, membership campaigns were formally inaugurated.

Reestablishing Relations with SNDP Yogam

The second major initiative of the State Secretariat was to rebuild relations with the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam. This goal began to materialize partially in 1988, and by 1989, when the party supported and helped elect an official panel, the relationship was further strengthened. However, significant challenges still remain in this area. Yet, to a certain extent, cooperation between the Yogam and the party has been achieved.

Ending Internal Factionalism

The third key mission of the State Secretariat was to unify the party by bringing together members from various internal factions. As of now, this objective has been mostly accomplished, leading to greater unity within the organization.

Affiliated Organizations

The party has five affiliated organizations:

• SRTUC (Socialist Republican Trade Union Congress)

• SSU (Socialist Students Union)

• SRYF (Socialist Republican Youth Front)

• SKS

• SVS

These affiliated wings are expected to function alongside the party committees. From time to time, the committees of organizations like SRTUC and SRYF are reorganized to ensure active involvement in the party’s mission.

The end of P. G

Although the founding General Secretary of the party was Prof. P. S. Velayudhan, he did not remain in that position for long. S. P. Gangadharan was the great General Secretary of the party, who had made great sacrifices to make the party a strong organization and to grow it into a ruling force. That brave leader, who had made all the subsidiary organizations that made the party a party, took his leave on March 21, 1985, leaving all his friends, party workers and especially his family members in deep sorrow. His demise was an irreparable loss to the party.

N. Srinivasan's death

Since July 1988, he had been working diligently and diligently in the organizational work, traveling from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, regardless of his age, for the upliftment of the party, when the founding chairman of the party, S. N. Srinivasan, passed away on October 19, 1988. His death is also a great loss to the party.

The death of Pachady Sreedharan

He was the State Secretary of the Party till July 1987 and the General Secretary of the Party till 1987, working with great courage and efficiency, and was working sincerely for the rebirth of the Party. He left us all on February 9, 1988 and died a heroic death. That too is a great loss for our Party that can never be replaced.

Two Leaders SRP Can Never Forget

There are two other prominent leaders whom the Socialist Republican Party (SRP) can never forget — the late Vidwan P. Sankaran Master, who served as State Vice President, and Comrade K. A. Dharmajan, who served as State Secretary. Let us also remember them respectfully here.

SRP’s Relevance Today

In today’s time, SRP remains more relevant than ever. It is widely acknowledged that SRP is the only reliable political platform fighting for the genuine rights of the hardworking laboring classes of Kerala, especially Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward sections

SRP has been steadfastly demanding the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations, which are considered the Magna Carta of backward classes. For over 50 years, SRP has been in the field through struggles, protests, and statements championing this cause.

Even as of 2025, SRP stands alone as the only political movement consistently raising this banner.

Party Fund

Party funds are the fuel for the organizational engine. Just as no engine can function without fuel, no party committee—from ward to state level—can function without operational funds.

With this in mind, fundraising coupons, notices, and posters aimed at raising ₹10 lakhs have been distributed among lower-level units to support party operations.

Party Education

It is essential to educate the public and party workers about:

• The party itself

• Its goals and ideology

• The Constitution

• And most importantly, current affairs

To create a unified mode of functioning and strengthen political awareness, the party should organize weekly study camps at the state and constituency levels. These should be conducted in a model and structured manner to instill knowledge and discipline among party workers.

This is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the party.

District-Level Outreach and Public Engagement

Secretariat members are expected to travel across districts, activating constituency committees, and organizing time-bound conventions that include public meetings and demonstrations at the constituency level.

Once this is done, district conventions and a state-level convention should be held. These actions will help the party:

• Build stronger public support

• Enhance its presence among the masses