LDF names 124 candidates in first list

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala has released its first list of 124 candidates for the May 16 Assembly polls.

The list features names of candidates for 90 of the 92 seats that the CPI(M) is contesting. Candidates for the Kothamangalam and Thodpupuzha seats will be announced later.

LDF Convenor Vaikom Vishwan announced that the LDF would unveil its election manifesto on April 5.

The CPI, the second biggest constituent in the coalition, has declared the names of candidates for 26 of the 27 seats they are contesting.

The remaining 21 seats of the 140 Assembly segments have been allotted to minor constituents and parties supporting the Front from the outside.

They include the Janata Dal (Secular) (5 seats), Nationalist Congress Party (4), Indian National League (3) and Communist Marxist Party (1). These parties are yet to announce their candidates for the respective seats.

The JD(S), which managed to get the highest number of seats after the two Communist parties, has been allotted five seats (Vadakara, Chittur, Angamaly, Kovalam and Thiruvalla).

The newly-formed Kerala Congress (Democratic) led by Francis George has been given four (Thiruvananthapuram, Changanassery, Poonjar, and Idukki).

The NCP also has got four seats (Kuttanad, Elathur, Pala, and Kottakkal). The INL, a long-time LDF fellow traveller, has been allotted three (Kasaragod, Kozhikode South and Vallikkunnu).

The Congress (S), Kerala Congress (B), Kerala Congress (Scaria Thomas), Revolutionary Socialist Party (Leninist) and the CMP have got one seat each.

The big names from the CPI(M)’s list are actor Mukesh (Kollam); mediaperson Veena George (Aranmula); former finance minister Thomas Isaac (Alappuzha); former minister G Sudhakaran (Ambalappuzha); former MP K Suresh Kurup (Ettumanoor); former minister S Sarma (Vypin); former MP Sebastian Paul (Thrikkakara); former minister AK Balan (Tharoor); entrepreneur VKC Mammath Koya (Bepur); and mediaperson MV Nikesh Kumar (Azheekode).

Nonagenarian VS Achuthanandan will contest from his sitting seat of Malampuzha in Palakkad district. Pinarayi Vijayan, Politburo member and a former State Secretary of the CPI(M), who is widely recognised as the chief ministerial candidate, will contest the Dharmadom constituency in Kannur district.