Incumbent Congress MP MK Raghavan is UDF’s candidate from the Kozhikode constituency, and standing against him is LDF’s candidate A Pradeep Kumar, who is from CPI (M). Pradeep has been a three-time MLA representing Kozhikode (North) constituency and is the Left’s answer to the Congress fielding a popular candidate again.
Both candidates have many similarities when it comes to their public image. Endearingly called Raghavettan by the people of Kozhikode, Raghavan is a widely accepted political figure in the northern district irrespective of political differences. Pradeep, a soft-spoken leader with a clean image, also enjoys similar acceptance is public. Both are known to have played significant roles in development work in their constituencies as well.
Even before he became one of the first candidates to begin campaigning in the state this election shake, Raghavan conducted a rally named Janahrudaya Yatra (people’s heart rally). In a counter move to the same, the CPI (M) had organised 'Kozhikode Mochana Yatra' (a rally to make Kozhikode free) that was headed by Pradeep Kumar.
Raghavan’s political history
The two-time MP and former General Secretary of the KPCC, Raghavan suffered a setback earlier this month when a Hindi news channel aired a report that he had sought Rs 5 crore kickback for negotiating a land deal. The channel had aired the footage of what it claimed was a sting operation in which Raghavan was seen seeking bribe for a land deal. Asking for the money to be donated to his campaign fund, he was seen saying that he was spending crores of rupees for the Lok Sabha polls.
The report sent shock waves among his supporters as well. In a press meet held to explain his stand, Raghavan broke down and said that the report was untrue. He also filed a complaint with the City Police Commissioner and the Election Commission to 'expose' the truth in it.
Originally from Payyanur in the neighbouring district of Kannur, Raghavan won the Kozhikode seat in 2009 by 838 votes - the lowest margin in the state. He secured 3,42,309 votes (42.92% of the total votes polled). His nearest rival, PA Mohammed Riyaz of the CPI (M), got 42.81% of votes.
Pic: MK Raghavan Facebook
How Raghavan built up roots across Kozhikode during his tenure could be seen with the majority he gained in 2014 elections. He defeated his nearest rival A Vijayaraghavan, a senior and strong leader of the CPI (M) with a majority of 16,883 votes. Raghavan even won around 900 votes lead in Elathur, a strong Left bastion.
Pradeep's political history
Representing Kozhikode from 2006, Pradeep won from Kozhikode (North) in 2011 and 2016 Assembly elections as well. In the last Assembly election, Pradeep Kumar defeated his nearest rival PM Suresh Babu of the Congress by a margin of 27,873 votes.
He has been instrumental in revamping educational institutions in the government sector. For instance, he ensured that the 120-year-old Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls in Nadakav in the city - which is attended by underprivileged students – was upgraded to international standards. Pradeep did so by entering collaborating with a private foundation. In 2014 none other than AR Rahman had visited the school to see the transformation.
Pradeep Kumar Facebook Page
Pradeep Kumar's friendships, from the days he was leader of the SFI, as a member of the Senate of the Kozhikode University, has made him a household name in Kozhikode.
Deciding factors in Kozhikode
As in other northern districts of the state, minority votes are a decisive factor in Kozhikode. However, the voters here are known to stand with the Left in the local body polls and Assembly polls, but not during the Lok Sabha Polls. This pattern can be viewed in several other constituencies, probably because voters look a political party that is capable of forming a government at the Centre.
Only four times since 1951 has the Left won from Kozhikode. Once, Imbichi Bava, a communist stalwart, won for the Left and twice the victory was through CPI (M)'s ally Janata Dal (S). MP Veerendra Kumar, who was then with the JD (S), had won the seat for the Left in Kozhikode. In 2009 however, the JD (S) split from LDF. Now, Veerendra has returned to the LDF as a part of another political party formed in May 2018 after splitting from the JD (S) - the Loktantrik Janata Dal.
Hence only once the CPI (M) was able to make victory on its own symbol.
Therefore, in the Lok Sabha election, the UDF may be able to consolidate minority votes to take on the BJP. Further, with Rahul Gandhi's candidature from Wayanad, the Congress expects a sweep over in the state or at least in the north. With Pradeep Kumar the Left hopes to wrest Kozhikode at the very least.
BJP candidate released on bail recently
The constituency is witnessing a rarity this time. The BJP candidate, Prakash Babu, was sent to jail on March 28 by a court at Ranni in Pathanamthitta for attacking a woman devotee who came to offer prayers in Sabarimala temple in November 2018.
The incident happened during the right wing organisations’ protest following a Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the shrine.
On April 11, the Kerala High court granted him bail.