Kozhikode, 05 March (H.S.):A major internal rift has surfaced within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Kozhikode after the party’s district committee passed a resolution opposing the candidature of Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran from the Elathur Assembly constituency. The development has exposed growing divisions within the party and raised concerns that the dispute could affect the prospects of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in what has long been considered one of its strongholds.

The resolution, adopted during a district-level election committee meeting held on Tuesday, recommended the name of district secretary Mukkam Muhammed as the party’s candidate for Elathur instead of the sitting MLA Saseendran. The decision was backed by an overwhelming majority of leaders present at the meeting.

According to party sources, as many as 80 out of the 83 members who attended the meeting supported the proposal to field Muhammed. Only three members opposed the move, reflecting the strong sentiment within the district unit against renominating the Forest Minister. The district committee has urged the party’s state leadership to forward Muhammed’s name to the NCP’s national leadership for final approval.

The move comes despite indications that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leadership in Kerala, which leads the LDF coalition, is inclined to field Saseendran once again from the constituency. Saseendran has represented Elathur in the Assembly and currently holds the Forest portfolio in the state government.

The internal divide within the NCP became more evident when party leaders spoke to the media after the meeting. While one group of leaders openly stated that there was no need to pass such a resolution and questioned the move, another faction publicly explained and defended the decision taken by the district committee.

The public airing of differences drew a sharp reaction from Saseendran himself. The minister criticised both sections of party leaders for openly discussing internal matters before the media, saying that such statements could damage the party’s image ahead of the upcoming elections.

Despite the criticism, the district leadership remains firm in its stand. Leaders have insisted that the party’s national leadership should consider only the name proposed by the district committee. They have also called upon NCP state president P.C. Chacko to intervene and ensure that the district unit’s recommendation is given due consideration during the final decision-making process.

With candidate selection becoming a contentious issue, the episode has highlighted growing organisational tensions within the NCP in Kozhikode at a crucial time for the LDF alliance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman