No clarity on Shailaja as CPM Kannur picks candidates

Kozhikode: Kozhikode: CPM's Kannur district secretariat has prepared a list of prospective candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, notably leaving out former health minister and party central committee member K K Shailaja. Her candidature will be decided by the party's higher committee.The district leadership has recommended DYFI state secretary V K Sanoj for the Mattannur constituency, which Shailaja won by a record margin of 61,035 votes in the last assembly election. For the Thalassery seat, currently represented by two-time MLA and assembly speaker A N Shamseer, the secretariat has proposed the name of Karayi Rajan. Rajan, an accused in the Fazal murder case, had earlier resigned as Kannur district panchayat president after a court barred him from leaving Ernakulam district. The state secretariat's decision will be crucial in determining Shailaja's electoral prospects. If not fielded in Mattannur, she may be considered for the Thaliparamba constituency. Both Shailaja and Shamseer have already completed two terms as MLAs. The district leadership has also backed Payyannur MLA T I Madhusoodhanan for another term, despite allegations of financial irregularities in handling party funds levelled by expelled party leader V Kunhikrishnan. In Thaliparamba, currently represented by CPM state secretary M V Govindan, the district secretariat has suggested the name of his wife and former Anthoor municipality chairperson P K Shyamala. Party leader N Sukanya is also being considered for the seat. Sitting MLAs K V Sumesh from Azhikode and M Vijin from Kalliassery have been recommended to be fielded again. The Dharmadam constituency, represented by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was not discussed at the district secretariat meeting, as the decision on his candidature will be taken by the party politburo. Meanwhile, CPM's Kasaragod district secretariat has recommended V P P Musthafa for the Thrikkaripur constituency and sitting MLA C H Kunjambu for the Uduma seat. All recommendations will now be reviewed by the CPM state secretariat and subsequently by the state committee, which will take the final decision on candidate selection.