The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) is likely to field its existing members in all constituencies in Palakkad district, except Alathur. The new candidate will replace Alathur’s incumbent MLA KD Prasenan, who has served two terms.
However, the party is keen to field a stronger candidate in Palakkad than P. Sarin, who failed to get ahead of Rahul Mamkootathila of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the by-election despite winning the seat after switching parties overnight.
A meeting of party leaders held in Palakkad recently in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached an early understanding on the candidates.
Although the party has decided to change candidates who have completed two terms, K. Babu, who has represented Nenmara for two terms, is likely to get an exception. The CPI(M) is of the view that Mr Babu’s experience, popularity and goodwill are needed for the party to overcome the growing challenge posed by the UDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nenmara.
But in Alathur the party is in a comfortable position and there is no need to give an exception to Mr. Prasenan. The names of party state committee member CK Rajendran and district panchayat president TM Sasi are among those shortlisted for Alathur.
The party will pay special attention to Thrithala, Malampuzha and Nenmara. The Chief Minister is learned to have told the district leadership to take care of these constituencies where the BJP is gaining ground.
If there are no changes to the party’s current proposal in Palakkad district, A. Prabhakaran will contest for another term in Malampuzha, PP Sumod in Tarur, MB Rajesh in Thrithala, P. Mammikutty in Shoranur, K. Premkumar in Ottapalam, K. Santhakumari in Kongad and K. Nemara Babu in Kongad
The Communist Party of India will contest in Pattambi and Mannarkkad and the Janata Dal in Chittur.
Published – 12 March 2026 19:01 IST
