For almost 20 years, K.K. Ragesh has been a key ally of veteran CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan, rising from SFI leader to Rajya Sabha member and Kannur district secretary. However, he now confronts growing dissatisfaction within the party, particularly in the influential Kannur unit. Critics suggest that the discontent towards Ragesh is more about questioning Vijayan’s authority than targeting Ragesh personally.
Ragesh’s journey includes his appointment as the Chief Minister’s Private Secretary in 2021, a role central to government decisions. His wife’s appointment at Kannur University faced legal scrutiny, currently under Supreme Court review. Despite being elevated as the CPI(M)’s Kannur district secretary in 2025, seen as a powerful position, Ragesh’s standing shifted after the party’s 2026 Assembly election defeat.
Following the election setback, internal party reflections intensified, especially in Kannur, where veteran leaders won as Congress-backed independents. This victory highlighted discontent within the party’s stronghold and raised concerns about district leadership. While reports of organized efforts to remove Ragesh are denied by CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby, murmurs of discontent persist.
In Kannur, a new power center is emerging, featuring influential figures like E.P. Jayarajan, M.V. Jayarajan, P. Jayarajan, P.K. Sreemathy, and K.K. Shailaja. Despite this, Vijayan’s authority remains strong, deterring direct challenges. Criticism of Ragesh is now seen as a significant aspect of an internal struggle over the party’s future direction and leadership, given his close association with Vijayan.
