‘Call P Jayarajan, save the party’; pro-Jayarajan flex boards reappear in Kannur

KANNUR: Pro-P Jayarajan flex boards have once again appeared in Kannur. The message on the board says, ‘Call P Jayarajan, save the party.’ The boards were placed in Azhikode constituency. Soon after the poll debacle, posters and flex boards had also surfaced in the district demanding a change in leadership.

The UDF had made significant gains in Kannur, a stronghold of the CPM. The CPM suffered heavy defeats in its traditional bastions, including Payyannur and Taliparamba, where rebels contested. In Dharmadom, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan trailed in the initial rounds and his winning margin was significantly reduced. Out of the 11 constituencies in the district, the LDF won six while the UDF secured five. In the previous election, the LDF won nine constituencies.

Party workers have strongly criticized the leadership following the defeat of the LDF. M V Govindan, K K Ragesh and the chief minister were criticized the most. Many stepped forward criticizing openly. There was widespread criticism from party cadres under the explanatory post shared by CPM Kannur district secretary K K Ragesh. Party workers said the full responsibility for the defeat in Kannur goes to Ragesh and Govindan Master. They also claim that if P Jayarajan had been the district secretary, the party would not have faced such a blow in Kannur.