CPM faces crisis in Kannur over State Secretary’s wife’s candidature

The CPM is currently facing a significant internal and political crisis in its traditional stronghold of Kannur following the decision to field PK Shyamala, the wife of CPM State Secretary MV Govindan, for the 2026 Assembly election from the Taliparamba constituency.

Senior party leader and CPM Kannur district secretariat member TK Govindan has launched a scathing attack on MV Govindan over the decision to field his wife, PK Shyamala, from Taliparamba.

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Reports indicate that TK Govindan has decided to leave the CPM and contest from Taliparamba in the backdrop of strong opposition within the party to Shyamala’s candidature. The CPM’s decision to field PK Shyamala in Taliparamba has reportedly triggered unrest within the Kannur unit.

TK Govindan, who currently serves as the chairman of the Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (Hanveev), had earlier expressed opposition to the candidature during internal party discussions.

Sources said Govindan has not attended recent party meetings over the past few days, signalling growing dissent over the decision. Sources also indicated that if Govindan enters the fray as an independent candidate, the Congress may consider backing him instead of fielding its own nominee.

Shyamala’s candidature has triggered opposition from local activists and sections of the party cadre, who allege that the selection is nepotistic, given that the constituency is currently represented by her husband, MV Govindan.

Critics and party activists have labelled the move as “family rule,” particularly because Shyamala is being fielded from the seat presently held by her husband, who is not contesting this time.

Earlier, senior party leader and district committee member VK Kunhikrishnan publicly alleged that Payyannur MLA and district secretariat member TI Madhusoodanan had misappropriated more than ₹1 crore, including money from a “martyr’s fund” intended for the family of a slain party worker, as well as funds meant for the party office. Kunhikrishnan has also indicated that he would contest against the CPM candidate TI Madhusoodanan in Payyannur.

The CPM is reportedly experiencing a “wave of exits” in Kerala, with the crisis in Kannur deepening following the exit of Kunhikrishnan and other local leaders over disagreements with the state leadership.

Significant opposition has also surfaced on social media, with party “cyber warriors” and supporters warning that ignoring public sentiment could lead to electoral setbacks. However, the CPM leadership has maintained that candidate selection was carried out through a democratic process.

Senior CPM leader MV Jayarajan has described TK Govindan, who has indicated that he may contest against LDF candidate PK Shyamala in Taliparamba, as a “class traitor.”

“TK Govindan has become a class traitor. Moreover, he has also become a political traitor by saying that he will seek the support of the UDF. If he had realized that he was raised by the Communist Party during his 60-year political career, he would not have shown such political and class betrayal,” Jayarajan said.