KANNUR: It is almost sure that four women from the CPM will contest the assembly elections in the district. Former minister and CPM central committee member P K Sreemathy is one among them. She is likely to contest from Kalyassery assembly constituency. There are few chances for T V Rajesh to contest polls as he had completed two terms. This paved way for Sreemathy. She had implemented revolutionary changes while serving as the health minister. She has the full support of E P Jayarajan, the second in the Pinarayi Government. She is also his sister-in-law (wife’s sister).

Her entry into the arena is unlikely to be challenged by political opponents in the CPM’s turf here. Minister K K Shailaja will be fielded in Mattannur. If Pinarayi assumes power again, two prominent women leaders in the cabinet will have to be considered for ministerial posts. Even the foreign media had highlighted Covid resistance in Kerala as a model. Shailaja, in charge of the health department, has become one of the brightest ministers in Pinarayi's cabinet.

However, P K Sreemathy is the senior most leader in the party and organizational level. She cannot be denied a ministerial post. Apart from Sreemathy and Shailaja, the CPM is also considering P K Shyamala and N Sukanya. Shyamala may contest from Thaliparambu and Sukanya in Azheekode. P K Shymala is the wife of CPM state secretariat member M V Govindan. She is the former chairperson of Anthur Municipal Corporation and Kannur district president of democratic mahila association. The party has decided to field N Sukanya, wife of Thaliparambu MLA James Mathew and all India democratic mahila association. The popular support they get is that all four are leaders have proved their strength in the organizational arena.