Kannur: Political analysts are closely watching whether recent developments in Taliparamba and Payyannur assembly constituencies will trigger any major political shifts in Kannur district, long considered the stronghold of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), in the upcoming assembly elections.

While the party remains confident, pointing out that even the exit of veteran leader MV Raghavan did not weaken its base, the CPM faces the task of proving its organisational strength once again in a changing political landscape. Of the 11 constituencies in the district, nine are currently held by the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The contests in Dharmadam, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking a third term, and Peravoor, where KPCC president Sunny Joseph is in the fray for the fourth time, have intensified the electoral battle.

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The entry of former health minister KK Shailaja into Peravoor, where she had won in 2006 after shifting from Mattannur, has further energised the contest in the high ranges.

Payyannur, a constituency that has consistently backed the LDF, is witnessing a keen fight as sitting MLA TI Madhusoodanan seeks re-election. His challenger, V. Kunhikrishnan, a former CPM district committee member, is contesting as an independent with UDF backing, raising serious allegations, including misuse of martyr fund against the incumbent.

Madhusoodanan had won the previous election with a margin of nearly 50,000 votes, but the CPM is taking no chances this time, plugging potential vote leaks and pushing an aggressive campaign. Meanwhile, V. Kunhikrishnan is canvassing with the message of “a vote to correct leadership mistakes.”

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Meanwhile, Taliparamba has drawn statewide attention due to the contest between PK Shyamala, district secretary of the All India Democratic Women's Association and wife of CPM state secretary MV Govindan, and veteran leader TK Govindan, a former district secretariat member who spent over six decades in the party.

In Dharmadam, UDF’s VP Abdul Rasheed, who delivered an impressive performance in Taliparamba in the last election, is the main challenger to Vijayan.

The LDF is confident of retaining seats such as Thalassery, Mattannur, Kalliasseri and Kuthuparamba. The UDF, on the other hand, is hopeful of repeating victories in Peravoor through Sunny Joseph and in Irikkur through Sajeev Joseph.

In the Kannur constituency, the contest has heated up between LDF minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran, eyeing a hat-trick, and the UDF’s attempt to reclaim the seat through TO Mohanan.

UDF draws confidence from its improved performance in local body elections, where it made gains not only in Peravoor and Irikkur but also in Kannur and Azhikode. Though the NDA may not expect to open its account, it remains active in campaigning, highlighting development initiatives under the central government in a bid to increase its vote share.