Kannur, 16 March (H.S.):

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] in Kannur district is facing internal turmoil after senior party leader T.K. Govindan announced his decision to contest as a rebel candidate against the party’s official nominee in the Taliparamba constituency. The development comes soon after another rebellion surfaced in Payyannur, indicating growing discontent within the party ranks in the district.

Govindan, a member of the CPM Kannur district secretariat and chairman of Hanveev, has decided to enter the fray against Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate P.K. Shyamala. His decision follows strong internal opposition within the party regarding Shyamala’s candidature.

Earlier, former CPM district committee member V.K. Kunjikrishnan had also declared that he would contest against the party candidate in Payyannur after the party decided to field T.K. Madhusoodanan again in the constituency.

Govindan, a senior leader from Malappattam with nearly five decades of association with the CPM, was widely expected to be the party’s candidate from Taliparamba in the upcoming election. However, the party’s decision to nominate Shyamala reportedly triggered dissatisfaction among several local leaders and workers.

Sources within the party said Govindan had earlier raised objections to Shyamala’s candidature during a Kannur district committee meeting. He had reportedly alleged that her selection was influenced by CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan.

Reports suggest that Govindan is likely to contest the election as an independent candidate from Taliparamba. There are also indications that he may receive support from the Congress, although no official confirmation has been made.

Some party workers and leaders have also taken to social media to question Shyamala’s popularity and electoral prospects, claiming that she lacks strong grassroots support in the constituency.

The CPM Kannur district leadership had earlier attempted to persuade Govindan to withdraw his decision and remain within the party fold. However, those efforts appear to have failed, and party leaders are now believed to have decided to let him pursue his own course.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman