CMP cited party founder MV Raghavan’s 2001 victory in Thiruvananthapuram West to justify its claim, even though the constituency was reorganised in 2011.
Published Feb 09, 2025 | 1:45 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 09, 2025 | 1:45 PM
CMP leader CP John.
Synopsis: The Congress is considering allotting the Thiruvananthapuram Assembly seat to the CMP as part of its alliance strategy, with UDF Secretary CP John being the probable candidate. John’s supporters highlighted CMP’s consistent activism in the city and argued he deserves a stable seat.
The Congress in Kerala is considering allotting the Thiruvananthapuram Assembly seat to the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) for the 2026 elections as part of its alliance strategy, with a faction pushing for UDF Secretary CP John as the candidate, sources said on Sunday, 9 February.
It is learnt that John has expressed interest, and CMP leaders have been asked to step up activities in the area.
CMP cited party founder MV Raghavan’s 2001 victory in Thiruvananthapuram West to justify its claim, even though the constituency was reorganised in 2011.
John’s supporters highlighted CMP’s consistent activism in the city and argued he deserves a stable seat.
After the constituency was made into Thiruvananthapuram, Congress leader VS Sivakumar represented it in the state Assembly after the 2011 and 2016 elections, but was defeated by LDF’s Antony Raju in 2021.
With Congress leaders also eyeing the seat, John urged the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to finalise seat-sharing for smaller allies, excluding the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Kerala Congress (Joseph), in advance.
The next Assembly elections in Kerala is expected to be held in May 2026. The CPI(M)-led LDF has been in office for two consecutive terms, marking the first time that an alliance won consecutive terms in the state since its 1977 election.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the LDF won 99 seats and the UDF won 41 seats.
Currently, the LDF has 98 seats in the state Assembly while the UDF has 41. Nilambur MLA PV Anvar who contested as an independent candidate backed by the LDF had recently resigned and joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
