Former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya has approached the Communist Party of India (Marxist) central leadership, seeking a review of the party action taken against her, even as she faces fresh scrutiny over her conduct during her five-year tenure at the local body. The letter was sent shortly before an extended Kannur district committee meeting, signalling the seriousness with which Divya is pursuing her case.

What Divya's Letter States

In her appeal, Divya questioned her removal from office-bearer positions within the Democratic Women's Association and alleged she was being barred from working at the party's Kannur district centre — even after her earlier removal as state joint secretary. She specifically alleged that district secretary P.K. Shyamala — wife of CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan — had denied her access to the district centre, and called for a review of all such decisions.

Central Leadership's Response

CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby confirmed that the letter had been received and indicated the matter could be discussed. He also said he had spoken with Divya over the phone, suggesting at least an acknowledgement of her grievance at the highest level of the party.

Background: The Naveen Babu Case and Its Fallout

Divya has been under sustained political pressure since the death of Additional District Magistrate K. Naveen Babu in October 2024. She was subsequently demoted from the Kannur district committee to the Irinave branch following the incident — a sharp fall for someone who had, until then, been one of the party's rising figures in the district.

The political climate surrounding her worsened after the V.D. Satheesan-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government came to power in May 2026. The new government announced a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Naveen Babu's death, adding a layer of legal scrutiny to an already fraught situation.

Fresh Vigilance Probe Ordered into Her Panchayat Tenure

On Friday, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that after examining official records, the government had decided a Vigilance probe was necessary into Divya's dealings during her tenure as Kannur district panchayat president from 2020 to 2025. The probe centres on allegations surrounding the award of contracts and the alleged role of a private company whose managing director is said to have benefited from certain works.

Notably, the managing director of the private company reportedly welcomed the probe on Saturday, stating: 'There was a probe earlier too, and we came out clean. Now another probe has been announced, and we welcome it as well. Every work was awarded through e-tenders, and we have nothing to worry about.'

What Comes Next

Divya's appeal to the CPI(M) central leadership reopens the question of her standing within the party at a particularly sensitive moment — with both a Vigilance inquiry and a CBI probe into Naveen Babu's death running in parallel. Whether the party leadership offers any relief, or allows the disciplinary actions to stand, will have broader implications for internal dissent norms within the CPI(M)'s Kerala unit.