CPM Swiftly Announces Candidates for Kerala Assembly Elections
Following the Election Commission's announcement of assembly elections in Kerala on April 9, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has moved quickly to name its candidates. On Sunday evening, CPM state secretary M V Govindan released the list, demonstrating the party's readiness for the upcoming polls.
Comprehensive Candidate List and Strategic Decisions
The CPM will contest in 86 constituencies, with 75 of these being party candidates. A total of 81 candidates have been named, which includes six CPM-backed independents and ten women. Govindan emphasized that independent candidates for five constituencies – Koduvally, Kottakkal, Palakkad, Kondotty, and Tirur – will be announced at a later date.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will seek re-election from Dharmadom. He is joined by eleven of his cabinet colleagues and 54 sitting MLAs who are also contesting again. The candidate for Thiruvananthapuram Central will be decided after the court delivers its verdict on the case against MLA Antony Raju on Monday. Additionally, party-backed independent T Ashok Kumar will contest from Mahe in Puducherry.
Key Ministers and Women Candidates in the Fray
The ministers contesting this time include Mohamed Riyas (Beypore), V Sivankutty (Nemom), M B Rajesh (Trithala), P Rajeeve (Kalamassery), V N Vasavan (Ettumanoor), Saji Cherian (Chengannur), O R Kelu (Mananthavady), R Bindu (Irinjalakuda), Veena George (Aranmula), and K N Balagopal (Kottarakara).
In addition to Bindu and George, the other women candidates in the CPM list are K K Shailaja (Peravoor), Govindan's wife P K Shyamala (Taliparamba), K Santhakumari (Kongad), M B Shiny (Vypeen), Pushpa Das (Thrikkakara), Daleema Jojo (Aroor), U Prathibha (Kayamkulam), and O S Ambika (Attingal).
Notable Absences and Democratic Selection Process
Govindan noted that speaker A N Shamseer and Udumbanchola MLA M M Mani are not contesting this time. K K Jayachandran will contest from Udumbanchola in place of Mani. The party state secretary asserted that the candidates were selected in the most democratic manner and that it was decided only one politburo member, Vijayan, should contest.
Confidence in LDF's Third Consecutive Victory
Expressing strong confidence, Govindan stated that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) will win the assembly polls for the third consecutive time. He highlighted that this victory is crucial for efforts to establish a Nava Keralam and oppose communal forces.
He elaborated on the government's achievements over the past ten years, including providing a peaceful life to the people, progress in health and education, attracting four lakh entrepreneurs in five years, and key infrastructure projects such as the GAIL pipeline, Vizhinjam Port, NH works, coastal highway, and hill highway projects.
Govindan also pointed out that the state recruited the greatest number of people through the public service commission, underscoring the administration's focus on employment and development.
Immediate Campaign Launch
Soon after the announcement, many CPM candidates took to the streets, organizing rallies and beginning their campaigns on Sunday itself. Govindan later launched the campaign roadshow of Vattiyoorkavu candidate V K Prasanth at the AKG Centre, marking the official start of the party's electoral drive.
This swift action by the CPM, following CPI's earlier announcement, sets the stage for a highly competitive election in Kerala, with the Left alliance aiming to maintain its stronghold in the state.
