Former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya, sidelined after party action in the ADM Naveen Babu death case, will not be fielded in the upcoming local body elections, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] choosing to promote former SFI State president K. Anusree as its candidate from Pinarayi division.
Ms. Anusree, now a CPI(M) district committee member, is being positioned as the likely district panchayat vice-president if the Left front retains the council. The party is banking on new faces to strengthen its hold on the Kannur district panchayat.
Incumbent Kannur district president president T.K. Ratnakumari has opted out of the contest.
Vice-president Binoy Kurian, also a CPI(M) district committee member and former Irrity area secretary, will seek the mandate to head the district panchayat. Mr. Kurian earlier contested the Peravoor Assembly seat for the LDF, losing narrowly to Congress’ Sunny Joseph. He has previously served as SFI State president and DYFI district office-bearer.
Names of district secretariat members M. Surendran and K. V. Gopinath were considered, but the district secretary meeting reportedly decided in favour of Mr. Kurian. The district committee meeting also endorsed the choice.
Meanwhile, the LDF’s seat-sharing talks with the CPI, the Kerala Congress(M) and the Indian National League (INL) have entered the final stage.
Published – November 10, 2025 11:10 am IST
