Dissension has surfaced in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in Kannur after the Left Democratic Front announced party leader P.K. Shyamala as its candidate in the Taliparamba Assembly constituency, with senior leader T.K. Govindan announcing his decision to leave the party and enter the fray as an Independent candidate.
Mr. Govindan, CPI(M) district secretariat member and chairman of the Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation, said he strongly opposed the decision to field Ms. Shyamala and had conveyed his objection directly to M.V. Govindan, the State secretary of the party, and Ms. Shyamala’s husband.
“After serving three terms as MLA, the attempt now is to give the seat to the wife for a fourth term. That effectively means the same person continuing indirectly,” he said at a press conference in Kannur on Monday. He alleged that the move was driven by the fact that the party secretary could not contest the election.
Mr. Govindan said he had raised the issue in party meetings and told the leadership that he would not be able to take part in the election campaigning under such circumstances. According to him, the decision to nominate Ms. Shyamala did not conform to the party’s organisational practice or “moral standards.”
‘Strong opposition’
He alleged that the proposal to field Ms. Shyamala in Taliparamba was first put forth by district secretary K.K. Ragesh, along with the suggestion that T.I. Madhusoodanan should contest from Payyannur. Both suggestions, he claimed, faced strong opposition within the secretariat.
He also said that when the question of fielding a woman candidate in Taliparamba was raised, some leaders had suggested N. Sukanya’s name. However, only Ms. Shyamala’s name was forwarded to the State secretariat.
He said criticism of the candidature was intense in the district committee meeting and except for three members, most leaders who spoke in the Taliparamba constituency committee had raised objections. And despite expectations that the leadership would review the decision, no change was made, he said, warning that the move could lead to the party’s defeat in Taliparamba.
Mr. Govindan said he had informed the leadership that he would find it difficult to continue in the party under such circumstance and had conveyed his decision to sever ties.
‘Will accept UDF support’
Tracing his political journey, Mr. Govindan said he had been associated with the party for nearly six decades, beginning with the Kerala Students Federation. Mr. Govindan said he would contest as an Independent candidate in Taliparamba and would accept support from the United Democratic Front, but would not accept the backing of communal parties.
Meanwhile, the Congress is closely watching the developments. Sources indicated that if Mr. Govindan contests as a rebel candidate, the Congress may reconsider fielding its earlier probable candidate P. Abdul Rashid and could extend support to Mr. Govindan in a bid to capitalise on the split within the CPI(M).
Published – March 16, 2026 08:29 pm IST
