Thiruvananthapuram: As the Kerala assembly electoral picture becomes clearer, both the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front(LDF) and the Congress- led United Democratic Front (UDF) appear outwardly calm, but internal tensions are simmering. Discontent over candidate selection is threatening to erupt at any moment. Senior leaders in both fronts are shifting allegiances, and group rivalries have intensified, particularly within the Congress, where factionalism is more visible than usual.
Congress rift deepens over candidate selection
Within the Congress, a clear divide has emerged. While the leader of opposition V.D. Satheesan and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal have consolidated their hold on one side, Shafi Parambil MP and P.C. Vishnunath have aligned on the other. Former LoP Ramesh Chennithala’s opinions have largely been ignored. Despite his strong backing for MPs K. Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash, and MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly, the opposing faction sidelined their claims. This has triggered sharp divisions in Kannur, Pathanamthitta, and Perumbavoor. Adoor Prakash MP has openly stated that he will not take responsibility for the outcome in Konni constituency, while Sudhakaran has asserted that retaining power by LDF cannot be ruled out.
The denial of tickets to Eldhose Kunnappilly and Deepthi Mary Varghese in Ernakulam district has also sparked discontent within church leadership circles. Deepthi Mary Varghese had already printed nearly one lakh posters in anticipation of a ticket, leaving her supporters in confusion. Joseph Vazhakkan now faces uncertainty over the unused campaign material. Similar tensions arose after assurances of a seat in the Ettumanoor constituency reportedly led to early campaign preparations.
KSU state president Aloysius Xavier even considered resigning in protest, but was persuaded to step back by party leadership. However, resentment continues to simmer. In Kuttanad constituency, DCC vice-president Saji Joseph and general secretary K. Gopakumar resigned, alleging that the seat had been “sold.” The unrest has also spread within the Muslim League, where state secretary Abdur Rahiman Randathani and women’s wing leader Adv. Noor Bina Rasheed initiated protests against imposed candidates, signalling wider dissatisfaction within the alliance.
CPM faces internal revolt and leadership criticism
The CPM is also witnessing serious internal unrest, extending from issues surrounding the martyr’s fund corruption to candidate selection. Allegations of financial irregularities in the martyr’s fund, exposed by Kunjikrishnan, have weakened the party in the Malabar region. Grassroots workers have accused state secretary M.V. Govindan of ignoring established criteria while finalising candidates. Senior leader K.K. Shailaja was shifted from Mattannur to Peravoor, reportedly to sideline her influence. Meanwhile, Govindan’s wife, Syamala, was given a seat in the Taliparamba constituency, further fuelling criticism.
In protest, district secretariat member T.K. Govindan resigned from the party. Speaker A.N. Shamseer was denied a ticket, allegedly due to his strained relationship with the state secretary and accusations of indirectly aiding the opposition in the Assembly.
In Alappuzha district, former minister G. Sudhakaran exited the party after sharply criticising the leadership. Similarly, former MLA P. Sasi from Palakkad district defected to the UDF camp. P. Jayarajan was once again denied a ticket, and tensions with E.P. Jayarajan have also surfaced, with allegations that state secretary Govindan attempted to undermine him.
The controversy deepened after the CPI(M) reportedly fielded an independent candidate despite earlier seat-sharing arrangements with the Janata Dal (S) led by M.V. Sreyams Kumar. This move angered district leaders. Accusing the CPM of betrayal, several leaders, including a former minister, have quit the party, indicating a widening crisis within the Left Front.
