CPI(M) expels T.K Govindan; K.K. Ragesh alleges opportunism

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) expelled senior leader T. K. Govindan from the party on Tuesday (March 17, 2026), a day after he levelled allegations against its leadership.

While dismissing the allegations raised by Mr. Govindan, K.K. Ragesh, district secretary, CPI(M) termed them “baseless and misleading”, while defending the selection of P.K. Shyamala as a candidate.

Addressing the media, he alleged that Mr. Govindan had “become a tool” of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in pursuit of a parliamentary position and accused him of succumbing to “parliamentary opportunism”.

He said Mr. Govindan, who held key organisational posts including district secretariat membership, was driven by an “undue lust for power”.

Mr. Ragesh said that the party was unaware that Mr. Govindan harboured ambitions for a parliamentary berth, adding that leaders holding high position in the party should not pursue such personal ambitions. He maintained that Mr. Govindan’s name had never been proposed in any party committee for candidature.

“Regardless of who was fielded, he would have taken the same stand,” Mr Ragesh said, defending the party’s candidate selection process.

Mr. Ragesh further said that candidate selection in the party is a collective decision taken after detailed discussions at various levels and not by any individual leader. He accused Mr. Govindan of distorting facts.

Mr. Govindan had on Monday accused the CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan of nepotism in fielding his wife and leader P.K. Shyamala from the Taliparamba assembly constituency, which M.V. Govindan held for three consecutive terms.

Mr. Ragesh on Tuesday clarified that Ms. Shyamala’s candidature was finalised strictly in accordance with party procedures. “The CPI(M) has over five lakh members and many are qualified to become candidates, however, only a few can be fielded. Selection is based on multiple criteria including organisational work and public contribution,” he said responding to allegations of nepotism.

The party district secretary said several leaders’ relatives have been nominated in the past but never on the basis of personal relationship. Each candidate is chosen based on their work and responsibilities within the party, that is how Ms, Shyamala emerged as a candidate, he added.

Highlighting her political background, Mr. Ragesh said Ms. Shyamala has been active in the Communist movement for decades and has held key organisational roles including in the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

He noted that the party had decided to field two women candidates in Kannur district and her name naturally emerged during discussions. He also said that Mr. TK Govindan’s name was not considered in any political or non-official party forum and accused him of working in favour of Sunny Joseph, president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.