As Kerala gears up for local body elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kannur faces a significant and unexpected challenge. A new political front is emerging, comprising disgruntled Congress rebels and leaders previously expelled from various parties, poised to shake up the electoral landscape.
This fresh initiative, spearheaded by P. K. Ragesh, a former Deputy Mayor and an expelled Congress stalwart, signifies the formation of a rival force. This new entity could potentially splinter the UDF’s traditional vote bank within the Kannur Corporation, making the upcoming polls highly unpredictable.
Ragesh revealed that a coalition of influential figures, including former Congress office-bearers, dedicated civic activists, and other like-minded individuals, have united to establish this new front. Operating under the banner of the ‘Rajivji Cultural Forum,’ this platform is rapidly taking shape.
“Our discussions are ongoing, aiming to field candidates in as many divisions as possible,” Ragesh stated. “We are actively mobilizing all segments of the populace who are discontent with the current administration of the Kannur Corporation and the perceived authoritarian leadership style of the district Congress unit.”
He outlined the immediate strategy, which includes hosting a major convention in the final week of October. This event will serve to solidify the forum’s organizational plans and formally declare its political objectives to the public.
Beyond this, the forum is diligently working to re-engage estranged leaders and grassroots party workers, hoping to bring them back into their fold.
For the Congress party, this development starkly highlights its ongoing struggle to curb internal factionalism in Kannur. Party insiders have confirmed that P. K. Ragesh will not be re-inducted, further exacerbating the division between the district Congress committee and its marginalized members.
Political analysts suggest that even if the Congress manages to secure a majority, this rebel movement could critically erode its vote share in key wards. This fragmentation could inadvertently benefit the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which maintains a robust organizational presence in Kannur.
A History of Strategic Alliances: Tactical Electoral Understanding
The prospect of a tactical electoral alliance between the new forum and the LDF remains a distinct possibility. P. K. Ragesh has a history of such strategic maneuvering; in 2015, as an independent candidate, he played a crucial role in the election of Kannur city’s first Mayor, E.P. Latha of the CPI(M). In a quid pro quo, he was subsequently appointed Deputy Mayor. Interestingly, he later initiated a no-confidence motion against Ms. Latha himself.
By 2019, following reconciliation efforts led by K. Sudhakaran, Ragesh returned to the Congress. This led to the Congress’s Suma Balakrishnan assuming the Mayoral position, with Ragesh retaining his role as Deputy Mayor.
The current municipal council consists of 55 members. The UDF holds 35 seats (21 from Congress, including Ragesh, and 14 from IUML), while the LDF has 19, and the BJP holds 1. For the upcoming elections, an additional division will be introduced, bringing the total number of council seats to 56.