141 candidates file nomination papers in Kozhikode, scrutiny to be held on March 24

A total of 141 candidates have filed 223 nomination papers in 13 constituencies in Kozhikode for the upcoming Assembly elections, as the last date for the purpose ended on Monday (March 23).

Campaigning is also gathering momentum in the district, with the candidates representing the Left Democratic Front (LDF), United Democratic Front (UDF), and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) conducting roadshows and political conventions and meeting prominent people in their respective constituencies in recent days.

P.K. Firos, UDF candidate from Koduvally, filing his nomination papers in Kozhikode on March 23.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

According to official sources, 18 candidates have filed their nominations in the Koduvally segment, the highest in the district. The lowest number of candidates, seven each, is in Koyilandy, Balussery, and Kozhikode South. The highest number of nominations, 22 each, is from Perambra and Koduvally.

UDF-backed Independent candidate from Beypore P.V. Anvar filing his nomination papers in Kozhikode on March 23.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

NCP(SP) Kozhikode district president Mukkom Mohammed and Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran greeting each at the district collectorate in Kozhikode as the latter arrived there to file nomination papers for the Elathur Assembly constituency on March 23.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

Prominent leaders who filed their nomination papers on Monday include Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran, former MLAs P.V. Anvar and Parakkal Abdulla, the NDA’s K.P. Prakash Babu and V.K. Sajeevan, and the UDF’s P.K. Firos and Fathima Thahiliya. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on Tuesday (March 24), and March 26 is the last day for their withdrawal.

National leaders

Meanwhile, all the major fronts are expected to bring their national leaders to the district in the coming days to boost their campaigning. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to address a public event at the Kozhikode beach on March 25, where he is expected to make announcements related to the UDF’s poll guarantees in the State. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will attend public events at Koyilandy, Beypore, Kunnamangalam and at the beach. Other senior national leaders of the Left parties will also be part of the campaign. The NDA has already brought senior BJP leaders and Ministers from other States to Kozhikode to accompany its candidates while they filed their nomination papers. More leaders may also visit the district soon.

Controversies

As the campaigning is picking up pace, controversies are also emerging from various quarters. After Ahammed Devarkovil, LDF candidate from the Kozhikode South constituency, recently claimed that Ms. Thahiliya’s candidature from Perambra was influenced by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, the former hit back on Sunday (March 22), saying she would withdraw from the race if the allegation was proved true. The campaign committee convener for T.P. Ramakrishnan, the LDF candidate from Perambra, filed a police complaint recently claiming that a section of Muslim Youth League activists were propagating false news against him to create communal polarisation. Earlier, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) district committee had issued a statement protesting against the alleged manhandling of K.P. Kunhammad Kutty, LDF candidate from Kuttiyadi, by UDF activists while he was visiting a temple in Maniyur during a festival.