A worker arranging election materials displayed for sale in front of a shop in Chala market ahead of local body elections in the state. | Photo credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
Ahead of the crucial local body polls in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, various fronts seem to be facing the prospect of rebels playing spoilsport. Most of the rebels’ problems emerged after the parties declared a candidate.
In Chempazhanthy Annie Ashokan, a former local committee member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) on Wednesday accused Kadakampally Surendran, MLA, of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the local polls in his favor during the assembly elections. She claimed that she was overlooked in the candidature in favor of Sheela Mohanan. However, Mr. Surendran, like Chempazhanthy’s ward secretary Gopan, denied the allegations on Thursday.
“The person who made these allegations was expelled in the past due to anti-party activities during elections and was later reinstated. The party also needs to do some self-criticism when they don’t understand its real intentions. I have always worked among the people. My deal was with the people of this constituency, regardless of any political differences. Whoever is fielded as the Left Democratic Front F candidate can win here in the coming elections. Mr. Surendran on press conference.
Mr. Gopan told reporters that the names of the candidates suggested by the ward committee were forwarded to the district committee, which took the final decision. Although Ms. Ashokan made it clear that she wanted to be a candidate, no one supported her. The rejection of the candidature led to these wild allegations against Mr. Surendran, he said. NA Rashid, former CPI(M) councilor and local committee member from Vizhinjam also expressed his displeasure over the selection of candidates.
BJP-BDJS issue
Meanwhile, the BJP, facing the prospect of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) spoiling its chances with rebels in at least 10 seats, seemed to have come to an understanding with her. With the NDA announcing the remaining 31 candidates on Thursday, three seats in Kesavadasapuram, Nanthancode and Muttada have been reserved for the BDJS. In 2020, BDJS was given only one seat which it could not win.
The Congress is facing a tough time in the Kovalam Assembly constituency after Youth Congress official Hissan Hussain resigned allegedly over candidate selection. There are rumblings at the front in various departments, the prospect of rebels as nominations are filed.
Published – 13 Nov 2025 20:52 IST
