Left Parties View Kerala's Kannur as Bastion of Resistance in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw near, the Left and other opposition parties are eyeing Kannur, Kerala as a key battleground and bastion of resistance. Kannur holds a special place in Kerala's communist history, being the birthplace of the Communist Party of India in 1939 at Pinarayi, the village of current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Left has long dominated Kerala's political landscape, securing victory in 9 out of 15 state assembly elections and providing 6 out of 12 chief ministers. However, their success at the national level has been more limited, outperforming the Congress-led UDF in only 4 out of 17 Lok Sabha elections since 1956. In the 2019 elections, the Left Front managed to win just 1 out of Kerala's 20 parliamentary seats.

Kannur, once a Left stronghold, presents a particular challenge for the CPI(M) after the Congress candidate's resounding victory in 2019. The region also highlights the human stories behind Kerala's political landscape, such as Sudha, a beedi worker who has been rolling beedis since age 13 as part of a Left government cooperative launched in 1969 to provide employment in the sector.

Why this matters: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Kerala are shaping up to be a contentious battle, with the Left and opposition parties viewing Kannur as a crucial front in their resistance against the ruling party at the national level. The outcome in Kannur could have significant implications for the balance of power in the next Lok Sabha.

The campaign rhetoric has already turned heated, with Left legislator P.V. Anwar making allegedly abusive remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, prompting the Kerala Congress to file a complaint with the Election Commission demanding an FIR. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended Anwar, stating, "It is natural to receive criticism if one criticizes someone." Congress leaders have slammed Anwar and Vijayan for the remarks, with one leader calling Vijayan's behavior "classless" and accusing him of letting Anwar loose.

Key Takeaways

• Kannur, Kerala is a key battleground for Left and opposition parties in 2024 LS polls.
• Left has dominated Kerala politics, but limited success at national level in Lok Sabha.
• Kannur, once a Left stronghold, presents a challenge after Congress win in 2019.
• Outcome in Kannur could significantly impact balance of power in next Lok Sabha.
• Heated campaign rhetoric between Left and Congress leaders over alleged abusive remarks.