Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran, one of the seniormost leaders of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), is contesting from Elathur for the fourth consecutive time. In an interview with The Hindu, he responds to criticism about his decision to contest again instead of making way for a younger candidate, as well as the ongoing protest by a section of upland farmers who have fielded their own candidate against him, citing his alleged failures to address their concerns amid rising human-wildlife conflicts