Fronts to put up strong fight to capture and retain Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Even though the LDF suffered setbacks in the local body elections, Kozhikode remained its main support base. While the Left lost control of all other corporations, Kozhikode stood with the LDF. However, the district panchayat slipped from its hands. Still, the Left is hopeful that Kozhikode will continue to support it in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Out of the 13 Assembly seats in the district, the LDF currently holds 11. Winning back Vadakara, which was taken by the UDF with the support of the RMP, has become a prestige issue for the Left. K.K. Rema is the sitting MLA from Vadakara. At the same time, the UDF has already begun strong efforts to retain the seat.

The UDF has announced that it expects to win at least half of the 13 constituencies. At present, it holds Koduvally and Vadakara. The UDF claims that it will surely win in Thiruvambady, Koyilandy, Kozhikode South, and Kuttiady this time. Koduvally is considered a stronghold of the Muslim League, so there is little concern there. However, if sitting MLA M.K. Muneer steps aside due to health reasons, the choice of a replacement candidate will be crucial.

The NDA is encouraged by increasing its strength in the Kozhikode Corporation from seven to 13 seats, but it is not making strong claims about winning any Assembly seat in the district. However, it has expressed hope in Elathur and Kozhikode North.

Prominent names being discussed in the LDF list include Mohammed Riyas, T.P. Ramakrishnan, A.K. Saseendran, and Ahammed Devarkovil. Of these, Saseendran is reportedly unlikely to contest this time. Other names under discussion include Anilkumar, who joined after leaving the Congress, K. Kunhamed Kutty, CPM district secretary M. Mehboob, CPI district secretary P. Gavas, DYFI leader S.K. Sajeesh, and Musafir Ahmed.

From the Congress side, names such as DCC president Praveen Kumar, Mullappally Ramachandran, K.M. Abhijith, and K. Jayanth are being considered. BJP leaders Praphul Krishna and Prakash Babu, who are presidents of the Kozhikode city and rural units, are also likely to enter the fray.

2021 Assembly Election Results (Constituency – MLA – Margin)

• Beypore: P.A. Mohammed Riyas (CPM) – 28,747
• Kozhikode South: Ahammed Devarkovil (INL) – 12,459
• Kozhikode North: Thottathil Ravindran (CPM) – 12,928
• Vadakara: K.K. Rema (RMP-I) – 7,491
• Kuttiady: K.P. Kunhamed Kutty (CPM) – 333
• Nadapuram: E.K. Vijayan (CPI) – 4,035
• Koyilandy: Kanathil Jameela (CPM) – 8,472
• Perambra: T.P. Ramakrishnan (CPM) – 22,592
• Balussery: K.M. Sachin Dev (CPM) – 20,372
• Elathur: A.K. Saseendran (NCP) – 38,502
• Koduvally: M.K. Muneer (Muslim League) – 6,344
• Thiruvambady: Linto Joseph (CPM) – 4,643
• Kunnamangalam: P.T.A. Raheem (LDF Independent) – 10,276