Govindan vs Govindan: CPM caught in rebel storm in red bastion of Kerala's Taliparamba

KANNUR: Taliparamba, one of the strongholds of ruling CPM, witnessed an unusual political churn in assembly polls this time as internal dissent threatens to disrupt its decades-old electoral dominance.

For nearly five decades, the constituency has remained a CPM bastion. The last breach was way back in 1970 when Congress's C P Govindan Nambiar defeated CPM's MLA K P Raghava Poduval by 909 votes.

The constituency reflects CPM's organisational discipline and ideological loyalty, deeply rooted in Kannur's political culture. But this time, posing a serious internal challenge to the party, former district secretariat member T K Govindan has entered the fray.

Govindan, also a former CPM Taliparamba area committee secretary, is contesting as an independent candidate, backed by opposition UDF. He had resigned from the CPM citing ethical concerns and lack of internal democracy. His move was triggered by the nomination of P K Shyamala, wife of CPM state secretary M V Govindan as the party candidate in the constituency.

By supporting T K Govindan, UDF aims to split CPM's traditional votes and tap into disgruntled cadre sentiment and convert internal dissent into electoral gains. However, the move has upset local Congress workers, with a section questioning T K Govindan's credibility. They feel he might return to LDF in case of a hung assembly.

At a UDF's mandalam committee meeting in Pariyaram, Youth Congress workers asked T K Govindan "How can we trust you?". His response was "Win or lose, I will be with you".

CPM is still confident of party's cadre loyalty. They focus on campaigns highlighting the welfare and development initiatives being carried out by Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF govt. The LDF camp also attempts to expose the "opportunism" of T K Govindan.

However, voters' reactions reveal that the situation is unpredictable.

Bijoy C, a shopkeeper at Kolacherymukk, said: "The party is still strong in Taliparamba, but this time there is confusion among workers".

Jafar C K, an IUML member who attended T K Govindan's election campaign at Taliparamba, said rebel factor is stronger in many CPM pockets that have personal loyalty towards T K Govindan.

"The perception is that the constituency is a citadel of communist party. But it is not true. Both IUML and Congress had proved its influence among voters in last local body elections and parliamentary elections," said Jafar.

Sivanandan, a farmer who arrived to attend Shyamala's election campaign at Chattukapara, said: "Whatever the internal issues within the CPM are, when it comes to voting, most people here will choose the party candidate, not individual".

A CPM member not wishing to be named said that T K Govindan would not cause any electoral setback to CPM. "But there is disappointment among us as a senior leader quit the party and joined the rival camp," he said.

BJP-led NDA is making renewed efforts to improve its performance. Though historically a marginal player in Taliparamba, the saffron party is trying to expand its footprint by fielding its prominent leader N Haridas.