Rare pushback for CPM in Kannur

Kozhikode: This time CPM's candidate selection process in its stronghold of Kannur seems to have run into turbulence. The decision to field party leader P K Shyamala, wife of state secretary M V Govindan, from Taliparamba has drawn sharp reactions on social media, with several supporters openly questioning the move and expressing their dissatisfaction. Even party supporters active in the cyberworld and other staunch defenders in cyberspace have voiced reservations."Communist movement has always given primacy to the sentiments of its cadres and the people. When selecting a candidate, what matters most is the person's acceptance among the people and the emotional bond with party workers. However, the current candidate selection in Taliparamba deserves serious reconsideration...What we need is a people's candidate," said a party supporter in his social media post.The post drew numerous responses. While some party cadres pointed out that CPM's official candidate list had not been finalised, others said grassroots-level workers would find it difficult to rally behind the present choice. Supporters publicly questioning candidate selection are rare in Kannur, long regarded as a CPM bastion, making the online voicing of discontent particularly worrisome.This episode follows central committee member and former health minister K K Shailaja reportedly expressing discontent at a state secretariat meeting because the party did not consider her for her sitting seat of Mattannur. Later, the party decided to field her from Peravoor, a constituency CPM has won only once since its formation in 1977.Party circles describe the move as a strategic attempt to wrest Peravoor from KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, who has held the seat for three consecutive terms. However, sections within the party believe the decision could be seen as sideline Shailaja.Meanwhile in Payyannur, CPM has renominated sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan, who is facing allegations of fund misappropriation levelled by expelled leader V Kunhikrishnan. Observers say Kunhikrishnan's supporters may campaign against him or back an independent candidate, adding another layer of uncertainty in the district.