Fri Nov 21 03:48:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

The Indian National Congress party’s plan to field a filmmaker, V.M. Vinu, as a surprise candidate and potential mayoral candidate in the Kallai ward of the Kozhikode Corporation local body polls failed because his name was not on the voters’ list. The Kerala High Court dismissed his petition seeking a favorable order. Consequently, the party has nominated Baiju Kalakkandi, president of the Panniyankara mandalam committee, as their candidate for the Kallai ward.

News Article:

Congress Chooses Local Leader After Filmmaker’s Nomination Fails in Kozhikode

Kozhikode, India – November 21, 2025 – In a surprising turn of events, the Indian National Congress has settled on Baiju Kalakkandi, president of its Panniyankara mandalam committee, as its candidate for the Kallai ward in the upcoming Kozhikode Corporation local body elections. This decision comes after the party’s initial plan to nominate filmmaker V.M. Vinu as a “surprise candidate” and potential mayoral contender fell apart.

Mr. Vinu’s nomination was thwarted when it was discovered that his name was not on the official voters’ list published by the State Election Commission. A subsequent petition filed with the Kerala High Court seeking to rectify the situation was also dismissed, leaving the Congress scrambling for a replacement.

The party announced Mr. Kalakkandi as the new candidate on Thursday, marking a shift towards a more traditional, local-based approach after the failed attempt to introduce a “non-celebrity” candidate. The election is expected to be closely contested, with all eyes now on how Mr. Kalakkandi will fare in the Kallai ward.

Read More