The CPI(M) in Kannur district has selected candidates for 13 out of 16 Assembly seats, indicating a strong hold of power by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Secretary M.V. Govindan. Notably, prominent leaders like E.P. Jayarajan, M.V. Jayarajan, and P. Jayarajan have been excluded, causing a stir in the party’s stronghold.
Chief Minister Vijayan, aged 80, will contest from his constituency, Dharmadom, as anticipated. A significant decision involves moving former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja from Mattannur to Peravoor, a Congress stronghold traditionally.
Another key move is fielding P.K. Shyamala, Govindan’s wife, from Taliparamba, the current seat of the State Secretary. This decision has sparked comparisons to 2021 when A. Vijayaraghavan’s wife, R. Bindhu, not only won but also joined the Cabinet.
The nomination of Karayi Rajan, who is on bail in a murder case, in place of Speaker A.N. Shamseer in Thalassery has raised eyebrows and may provide ammunition to the Opposition. Meanwhile, at Payyannur, T.I. Madhusoodanan retains his seat amidst controversy over alleged fund irregularities.
The CPI(M) will contest 13 out of 16 seats in Kannur, with the remaining three allocated to Left allies. While the Left Democratic Front dominated in 2021, winning 14 seats, the focus this time is on candidate selection and potential political dynamics rather than Opposition strength in Kerala’s renowned red bastion.
