Kannur (Kerala), March 16 (NationPress) A significant unrest is unfolding within the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Kerala's Kannur, sparked by the party's choice to nominate P.K. Shyamala, the spouse of party state Secretary M. V. Govindan, as the LDF candidate for the Taliparamba constituency in the upcoming elections on April 9. Govindan has previously held this seat for two consecutive terms. His decision to step aside has led to the controversial selection of his wife, igniting the current dissent.

On Monday, T. K. Govindan, a member of the CPI-M district Secretariat, declared his exit from the party to run as an independent candidate in Taliparamba.

This situation arises amidst growing resistance within certain factions of the party regarding Shyamala’s candidacy.

Govindan had previously expressed his concerns during a district committee meeting focused on candidate selection.

Since raising these issues, he has distanced himself from party activities, missing both constituency committee and district Secretariat meetings over the past week.

As dissatisfaction surges among party members in Taliparamba, the Congress leadership is closely monitoring the situation and has chosen to delay its candidate announcement for the area.

The 75-year-old Govindan, a prominent figure in CPI-M's stronghold of Malappattam, is also the chairman of the Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation. His past roles include chairmanship of Pariyaram Medical College Hospital and several organizational capacities within the party, such as area committee secretary in Sreekandapuram and Mayyil.

Opposition to Shyamala’s nomination has been evident from the outset, even as the party assigned senior leader P. Jayarajan to manage the constituency.

The situation escalated after Jayarajan posted Shyamala’s election poster on Facebook, captioning it: "Dear comrade Shyamala, teacher in Taliparamba…" This attracted numerous critical comments regarding her candidacy.

During a comprehensive media session on Monday evening, T.K. Govindan made it clear that discontent within the party in Kannur is significant.

“I have advised my wife, who leads a local panchayat, and my close associates not to leave the party. However, I am stepping away because the circumstances in the party are neither fair nor just,” he stated.

He alleged that Shyamala had taken a hard stance, refusing to approve a business proposal from NRI businessman Sajan Parayil while in her role as chairperson of the Anthoor municipality.

When asked about the perceived double standards in handling Shyamala and another party member, P. P. Divya, linked to the suicide of Naveen Babu, the Additional District Magistrate of Kannur, Govindan confirmed that different standards had been applied.

"My stance is unequivocal. Despite strong opposition to Shyamala’s candidacy in Taliparamba, it was approved. How can the seat be given to the wife when her husband, who has served three terms, steps down? This is unjust. Other qualified women candidates were available, yet only the wife was considered," he articulated.

Govindan also criticized the decision to relocate senior leader K. K. Shailaja from her sitting constituency to another.

Commenting on allegations of fund misappropriation related to a martyr's memorial by current Payyannur CPI-M legislator T. I. Madhusoodanan, Govindan expressed belief in the accusations made by expelled leader V. Kunhikrishnan.

“I am uncertain why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remains silent on these matters,” he added. Earlier on the same day, Kunhikrishnan, expelled from CPI-M, announced his intention to run independently from Payyannur.

With Govindan now also planning to contest independently from Taliparamba, attention turns to the Congress to see if it will offer support to these two rebellious candidates.

"I am open to Congress support, but not from any communal factions," Govindan stated.