Talks on CPI(M) candidates in final stages in Kannur

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretariat has ramped up preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections with a broad understanding reportedly reached on candidates in eight constituencies in Kannur district.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to seek a third consecutive term from Dharmadam and is expected to lead the Left Democratic Front (LDF) campaign in the district. Indications suggest that sitting MLA in several constituencies will be retained, despite controversies surrounding some leaders.

In Payyannur, Kalliassery, and Azhikode, where incumbents have completed one term, no changes are expected. T.I. Madhusoodanan is almost certain to be fielded again from Payyannur, while M. Vijin from Kalliassery and K.V. Sumesh from Azhikode are also likely to seek re-election.

CPI(M) secretary M.V. Govindan is unlikely to contest again from Taliparamba. Instead, the names of Mahila Association leader and former chairperson of Anthoor Municipality P.K. Shyamala and N. Sukanya, wife of former MLA James Mathew and former Opposition Leader in Kannur Corporation, are under consideration.

Though a strong party candidate, Ms. Shyamala’s name was associated with the death of an NRI businessman who allegedly ended his life after the local body refused to grant a licence for his project, and this is likely to affect her candidature. She was the chairperson of Anthoor municipality at the time and had to resign from the post.

In Mattannur, DYFI State secretary V.K. Sanoj is expected to enter the fray, with the party leadership not keen on fielding incumbent MLA and former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja. Though she was reluctant to contest from any constituency other than Mattannur, she has reportedly agreed to contest from Peravoor, a stronghold of the Congress. In the last election, the CPI(M), which fielded Zakir Hussain, lost in Peravoor to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph by 3,172 votes.

In Thalassery, with Speaker A.N. Shamseer completing two terms, Karayi Rajan is tipped to contest.

Meanwhile, in Koothuparamba Assembly constituency, there is a strong demand within a section of the local CPI(M) to regain the seat, which it held in 2016. However, K.P. Mohanan, who won in 2021 as part of the Left Democratic Front, is seeking re-election. A faction within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has suggested P.K. Praveen, a relative of Mr. Mohanan and the party’s State general secretary, as a potential candidate, challenging the sitting MLA.

However, no change is likely in Kannur, where Ramachandran Kadanappally, the sitting MLA, is poised to contest for a third consecutive term as the LDF candidate in the upcoming election.

In the last Assembly polls, the CPI(M) secured majorities exceeding 20,000 votes in all the constituencies it contested in Kannur, except Azhikode Assembly constituency and Peravoor Assembly constituency. K.K. Shailaja recorded the State’s highest majority in Mattannur Assembly constituency with 60,953 votes. Pinarayi Vijayan won Dharmadam Assembly constituency by 50,123 votes, while A.N. Shamseer secured Thalassery with a margin of 36,801. T.I. Madhusoodanan won Payyannur by 49,750 votes, polling 62.49% of the vote.

However, Payyannur has emerged as a focal point amid allegations of fund misappropriation that rocked the party locally. District Committee member V. Kunhikrishnan was expelled following charges linked to the Dhanaraj martyr’s fund. The controversy triggered internal rifts in what is considered a CPI(M) stronghold.

Mr. Kunhikrishnan has said he has not decided on contesting and maintains that his fight is against corruption within the party. However, speculation persists that a rebel candidacy could alter the equations. Congress district leaders have indicated that they would assess the situation if he enters the fray, while political observers say that both the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would attempt to capitalise on any split in the Left vote.

In the last local body elections, the LDF secured 112 of the 115 wards in the Payyannur Assembly constituency, compared to the UDF’s 37. The LDF’s lead of 32,113 votes in the local polls, however, narrowed to 13,257 in the subsequent Lok Sabha election, indicating a shift in voter dynamics.

With candidate announcements awaited, Payyannur is set to be closely watched, particularly to see whether the CPI(M) can retain its commanding majority or face a challenge from internal dissent.

Published – March 01, 2026 07:40 pm IST