Vadakara Lok Sabha Seat: Kerala braces for a fierce electoral showdown within the I.N.D.I.A bloc where two sitting MLAs are set to lock horns for a coveted MP seat. In what marks a political first between allies outside of Kerala, both Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress have nominated sitting MLAs to fight for the MP seat.
In Vadakara, the electoral battleground is set as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) nominated K K Shailaja, a stalwart of the CPI(M) and incumbent MLA from Mattannur, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Palakkad MLA Shafi Parambil, a prominent figure from the Congress camp. This electoral duel also represents a clash between a former minister and an MLA who has firmly entrenched himself in the Palakkad Assembly constituency. The Congress is looking at a fourth straight term in Vadakara, having won in the last three elections.
Vadakara Lok Sabha Seat
Vadakara, situated in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, carries a rich historical legacy as a key location in the former Malabar district under British colonial rule. Covering parts of both Kannur and Kozhikode districts, the Vadakara parliamentary constituency is home to a population of 16,07,127 as per the 2011 census.
This constituency encompasses seven assembly segments: Thalassery, Kuthuparamba, Vadakara, Nadapuram, Koyilandy, Kuttiyadi, and Perambra.
Who Is Shafi Parambil?
Shafi Parambil, currently serving as the MLA representing the Palakkad constituency, embarked on his political journey as a member of Kerala Students Union (KSU) swiftly ascending to the role of general secretary within the college union. His dedication and leadership skills propelled him to the position of state general secretary of KSU in 2007, followed by his appointment as state president in 2009.
Subsequently, Parambil seized the opportunity to contest elections in the state marking his foray into the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2011. His consistent efforts led to subsequent electoral victory in the 2016 Assembly election.
In 2017, Parambil assumed the role of general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress. However, he resigned from this position a year later.
Parambil's political prowess was further evident in the 2021 Assembly elections, where he garnered significant attention by triumphing over renowned figure Metroman E Sreedharan by a margin of 3,480 votes in Palakkad.
KK Shailaja: Slayer Of COVID-19 & Nipah
Shailaja's journey into politics began after a successful career as a high school physics teacher. Since then, she has made significant strides, serving as an MLA and winning Kuthuparamba constituency in 1996 and 2016, as well as the Peravoor constituency in 2006.
KK Shailaja, renowned for her pivotal role as the Health Minister of Kerala during the Nipah virus outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her efforts garnered international recognition for combating the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, she received accolades from the United Nations for her proactive approach to addressing the pandemic.
In the elections that followed, Shailaja emerged triumphant in 2021 securing a resounding victory with a record margin of over 60,000 votes. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's newly-formed government faced criticism for omitting KK Shailaja from the cabinet.
Currently, KK Shailaja represents the Mattanur constituency in the Kerala Assembly. Notably, the upcoming Parliamentary Elections in 2024 marked her debut in contesting for a seat in the Parliament.
Will TP Chandrashekaran’s Murder Impact Polls?
After the announcement of her candidature, MLA Shailaja was questioned about the potential repercussions of TP Chandrasekharan murder case on the electoral landscape.
TP Chandrasekharan, founder of the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), a faction that split from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was brutally assassinated, leaving a lasting mark on the political dynamics. On May 4, 2012, Chandrasekharan, aged 51, was assaulted and attacked by assailants while riding his motorcycle in Onchiyam, Vadakara. He sustained more than 51 wounds in the assault, and crude bombs were hurled to prevent bystanders from intervening. Despite being taken to the hospital half an hour later, he succumbed to his injuries.
The killing of the Communist leader has significantly impacted the vote share of the CPI (M), which has failed to secure even the Assembly seat since the incident. Coincidentally, on the same day that the CPI (M) announced its candidates for the polls, the Kerala High Court handed down a harsher sentence to CPI (M) local leaders and others involved in the murder of the dissident communist leader.
During the court proceedings, the Kerala High Court underscored the barbarity of the murder and highlighted its utilisation as a tool to settle political scores.
Against this backdrop, the major question that is posed before everyone is can Shailaja break the track record?
The Contest
Both Shafi Parambil and Shailaja emerged as formidable contenders due to their remarkable electoral victories, which garnered significant attention during the 2021 Assembly Elections.
Shailaja's landslide victory, securing the largest margin, and Shafi's closely contested win in the Palakkad constituency in 2021 have solidified their positions as prominent leaders. Furthermore, both individuals have carved out a distinct identity for themselves through their unwavering principles.
Due to the fierce competition between both factions, the upcoming contest in Vadakara is anticipated to be challenging, despite their established dominance. It is evident that the forthcoming elections in Vadakara will be remembered as a significant event in history.