Thrissur

Sitting MLA C. C. Mukundan on Monday said he would contest as an independent candidate from the Nattika Assembly constituency after reports suggested that the Communist Party of India (CPI) may deny him a ticket in the upcoming 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.

Nattika, a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency in Thrissur district of Kerala, has long been considered a stronghold of the CPI, which contests the seat as part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The CPI is close to finalising candidates for the 25 seats it contests within the LDF alliance, and reports indicate that former MLA Geetha Gopi may be fielded from Nattika instead of Mukundan.

Speaking to PTI, Mukundan alleged that internal party conflicts were behind the decision not to consider him.

“I don’t support the vested interests of certain party leaders in the district and the state. I also understand there are caste-related issues behind not considering me,” he said, without elaborating further.

Mukundan also claimed that the party leadership preferred candidates capable of raising funds.

“They want funds, and I cannot provide them like others. So they have selected a candidate who can provide money,” he alleged.

The MLA said he had been contacted by leaders from the United Democratic Front (UDF) but added that he intends to contest the election independently.

“Yes, several leaders have contacted me. But I want to contest the election as an independent. A final decision will be taken soon,” he said.

Earlier, speaking to reporters, Mukundan asserted that he would contest the election even if the party denied him the ticket. He also said he was hurt by the development, noting that he had been actively working for the party until recently.

Asked whether he would remain in the CPI, Mukundan said disciplinary action could follow if he opposed the party’s decision, and he would take a call before that.

The CPI leadership has not yet responded to Mukundan’s allegations.

Meanwhile, Geetha Gopi said she would abide by the party’s decision and would not respond to the remarks made against her.

“The verdict in Nattika will be decided by the people,” she said, adding that she had earlier served as MLA from the constituency for 10 years and believed voters would remember the changes she had brought to the area.

Ramesh Chennithala of the Indian National Congress said Mukundan had spoken to him recently about being denied the ticket.

“He contacted me yesterday to say he was not given the ticket. I asked about his plans and told him to contact me if he takes a decision,” Chennithala said, adding that no move had been made to bring Mukundan into the UDF.

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The CPI, a key ally of the LDF led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is expected to contest 25 of the 140 seats in the Kerala Assembly polls, with the official list of candidates likely to be announced soon.