A senior CPI(M) leader in Kerala's Kannur, TK Govindan, quit the party after six decades, alleging dynastic politics in candidate selection. He opposed fielding state secretary MV Govindan's wife, PK Shyamala, from Taliparamba. Claiming he was sidelined, Govindan announced he would contest as an Independent, while party leaders dismissed his allegations and termed him a "class traitor".