Congress’ firebrand leader to replace Shafi Parambil in Palakkad? Selection of candidate to be a headache for BJP

PALAKKAD: There will be bypolls in Palakkad assembly constituency following the win of Shafi Parambil in the Lok Sabha polls, after a political struggle full of valour and persistence. After wresting Palakkad from the left Front, Shafi maintained the constituency twice. The stage is set for the bypolls following his win in Vadakara.

He won in Palakkad for the first time in 2011 by 7403 votes after defeating trade union leader K K Divakaran of the CPM and sitting MLA. In 2016, Shafi retained the constituency by increasing his majority to 17,483 votes. Palakkad, where the BJP won municipal government for the first time in the state, Shafi's advance pushed the Left to the third position. The attempt of the BJP to capture Palakkad by fielding Metroman E Sreedharan in 2021 crumbled in front of Shafi.

The BJP camp is presently hoping to capture Palakkad whoever is fielded other than Shafi. On the other hand, the influence of the CPM, which was relegated to the third position in the last two elections, is declining in the city. Some in the Congress are worried that Palakkad will be taken by the BJP if they do not field a man as strong as Shafi. The congress pointed that V K Srikandan's resounding victory in Palakkad makes those concerns irrelevant. An attempt can be made to retain the constituency by fielding Rahul Mamkootathil. Former DCC president, who is close to the left, has an eye on the Palakkad seat. Candidate selection is a headache for BJP as it is a probable constituency.