From 'no chance' to historic victory; Sandeep Varier shakes red bastion in Thrikarpur

KANNUR: Thrikaripur constituency, the CPM bastion that has never wavered in its allegiance since 1977, saw the winds of change for the first time in Kerala’s political history. The Left Front has won all 10 assembly elections, and the winners even included former Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar.

Coming to 2026, Sandeep Varier, a native of Ottapalam Chethallur, the former BJP leader who joined Congress, breached the Left stronghold with a majority of 4,431 votes. In 2021, the LDF had won here with a majority of 26,137 votes.

Sandeep captured the constituency through precise strategies. Micro-level projects were devised in the booths. In areas deemed inaccessible, Sandeep reached the household through social media.

Sandeep Varier’s candidature announcement came very late, and it was a surprise in political quarters. Sandeep, who had concentrated his work around Tavanur, expected a seat there, but the plans changed in the second phase, as the Congress gave him unbreachable Thrikaripur.

The Congress district leadership initially opposed Sandeep's candidature, but it was alleviated with the intervention of Panakkad Sadiq Ali Thangal, the Muslim League state chief. The League's stance that 'Sandeep should be in the assembly' became decisive. Sandeep's only connection with the constituency was that his father worked at the Thrikaripur railway station.

Sandeep Varier told Kerala Kaumudi that the warm welcome given by the people of the constituency the moment he got off the train was the first sign of victory.

Votes:

Sandeep Varier -83,109

Dr. V.P.P. Mustafa -78,678

Ravi Kulangara -7,837