Even candidates with no Communist background are under the sickle-hammer-star banner, and in a first, Kerala has no Left-backed independent!
AKG Centre, the state headquarters of CPI (M) in Kerala. Photo: Supplied.
The CPI(M) in Kerala has for the first time, allotted party symbols to independent candidates even without leftist backgrounds in the 2024 general elections. This is to increase its vote share because votes obtained by party-backed Independents without the symbol do not accrue to the party. Once powerful in West Bengal and Tripura, CPI(M)’s base is now confined to Kerala.