Thiruvananthapuram, June 5
In a move that could reshape the electoral dynamics of the politically sensitive Nemom constituency, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is reportedly considering fielding IAS officer Dr. Divya S. Iyer in the upcoming 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
Highly placed sources in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) confirmed to Bharathpost that discussions are underway within the CPI(M)’s state leadership about projecting Dr. Iyer—a 2014 batch IAS officer currently serving as Mission Director of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in Kerala—as their candidate from Nemom, a seat that has witnessed intense multi-cornered battles in recent years.
Dr. Iyer, known for her administrative acumen and social outreach, served as the District Collector of Pathanamthitta and later as the Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited. Her proactive engagement with the public and visibility during crisis management, particularly during the pandemic, earned her widespread recognition.
The CPI(M)’s interest in fielding Dr. Iyer stems from multiple strategic considerations. Nemom remains the only seat in Thiruvananthapuram district where the BJP has previously made significant inroads, with veteran leader O. Rajagopal having won it in 2016. Although the BJP lost the seat in 2021 to the LDF’s V. Sivankutty, the saffron party continues to view it as a key battleground.
According to sources, the CPI(M) believes that a high-profile and non-traditional candidate like Dr. Iyer could appeal to a cross-section of voters—particularly women, youth, and apolitical technocrats—thereby blunting the BJP’s Hindutva edge and the Congress’ revival hopes in the region.
If the party finalizes her candidature, Dr. Iyer would likely seek voluntary retirement from the IAS later this year. However, CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan has so far declined to comment on “individual names,” stating only that the party is open to “fresh faces with credibility and integrity” for critical constituencies.
Political observers note that pitching a young woman bureaucrat with grassroots experience could be a bold experiment for the Left in a constituency that often defies conventional electoral patterns. The final decision is expected to be taken after the party’s district committee consultations and broader LDF seat-sharing talks later this year.
