CPI(M) may retain most sitting MLAs in Palakkad

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is likely to field its existing members in all constituencies in Palakkad district, except Alathur. A new candidate will replace Alathur’s sitting MLA K.D. Prasenan, who has completed two terms.

However, the party is eager to field a stronger candidate than P. Sarin in Palakkad, who failed to make any impact against the United Democratic Front (UDF)’s Rahul Mamkootathil in the Palakkad byelection, despite having been given the seat after switching sides overnight.

A meeting of party leaders held recently in Palakkad in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached an early understanding about the candidates.

Although the party decided to change candidates who completed two terms, an exception is likely to be given to K. Babu, who represented Nenmara for two terms. The CPI(M) is of the opinion that Mr. Babu’s experience, popularity and goodwill are needed for the party to overcome the growing challenge posed by the UDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nenmara.

But in Alathur, the party is in a comfortable position and there is no need to give an exception to Mr. Prasenan. The names of party State committee member C.K. Rajendran and district panchayat president T.M. Sasi are among those shortlisted for Alathur.

The party will pay special attention to Thrithala, Malampuzha and Nenmara. The Chief Minister is learned to have told the district leadership to take care of these constituencies, where the BJP is gaining ground.

If there are no changes to the current proposition of the party in Palakkad district, A. Prabhakaran will stand for another term in Malampuzha, P.P. Sumod in Tarur, M.B. Rajesh in Thrithala, P. Mammikutty in Shoranur, K. Premkumar in Ottapalam, K. Santhakumari in Kongad, and K. Babu in Nenmara.

The Communist Party of India will contest in Pattambi and Mannarkkad, and Janata Dal in Chittur.