Kannur – Communist Party of India (Marxist) central committee member K.K. Shailaja will contest the upcoming Kerala assembly elections in Peravoor, a shift from her previous constituency of Mattannur. The decision was made by the CPM Kannur District Secretariat on Monday, March 3, 2026.

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The decision comes after discussion within the party regarding the two-term limit for candidates. Shailaja’s name had been raised among those potentially being rotated out of their current seats. Some within the party expressed concern that sidelining a popular leader could be detrimental, and Shailaja reportedly voiced her own dissatisfaction with the possibility of being moved from Mattannur.

Shailaja has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for 20 years, winning four of five elections across three constituencies: in 1996 and 2016 from Koothuparamba, and in 2006 from Peravoor. She won her last election in Mattannur by a record margin of 60,963 votes. This move to Peravoor represents a strategic shift as the party prepares for the upcoming elections.

In her most recent victory, Shailaja secured a significant win in Mattannur, defeating Illikkal Agasty of the Revolutionary Socialist Party. The upcoming election will test her ability to connect with voters in a new constituency.

English Summary:

Kerala Assembly Election 2026: KK Shailaja will contest the upcoming Kerala elections from Peravoor, marking a significant shift from her long-held Mattannur constituency. This decision by the CPM Kannur District Secretariat comes amid internal discussions about her candidacy and the party’s term norms.