Published Mar 15, 2026 | 9:17 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 15, 2026 | 9:24 PM
KK Shailaja, Veena George, Pinarayi Vijayan, K Rajan.
Synopsis: The CPI(M) and CPI, the key parties in Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, have announced their candidates for the Assembly elections to be held in April. The CPI(M) named 75 candidates and seven independents, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan set to contest again from Dharmadam and Health Minister Veena George renominated from Aranmula. The CPI released its list of 25 candidates earlier, including Minister K Rajan from Ollur and Minister GR Anil from Nedumangad.
The CPI(M) and CPI, the principal parties in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, have announced their candidate lists for the Assembly elections to be held in April.
The CPI(M) announced its full slate of 75 candidates and seven independents, with party state secretary MV Govindan releasing the list. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will contest again from his home turf, Dharmadam, in Kannur.
Despite intense criticism over alleged lapses in the health sector, which placed the government under sharp scrutiny, the CPI(M) has stood firmly by Health Minister Veena George, confirming her candidature from Aranmula in Pathanamthitta.
The party has also announced that former Health Minister KK Shailaja will contest from Peravoor in Kannur.
Other notable CPI(M) candidates include V Sivankutty (Nemom), Kadakampally Surendran (Kazhakoottam), P Rajeev (Kalamassery), MB Rajesh (Thrithala), and Minister PA Muhammad Riyas (Beypore).
Thiruvananthapuram: V Sivankutty (Nemom), V Joy (Varkala), OS Ambika (Attingal), DK Murali (Vamanapuram), Kadakampally Surendran (Kazhakoottam), VK Prashanth (Vattiyoorkavu), G Stephen (Aruvikkara), CK Harindran (Parasala), IB Sathish (Kattakkada), K Ansalan (Neyyattinkara).
Kollam: KN Balagopal (Kottarakkara), S Jayamohan (Kollam), M Naushad (Iravipuram), Dr Sujith V Jayanpilla (Chavara), SL Sajikumar (Kundara).
Pathanamthitta: Veena George (Aranmula), KU Jeneesh Kumar (Konni).
Idukki: A Raja (Devikulam), KK Jayachandran (Udumbanchola).
Kottayam: K Anilkumar (Kottayam), Minister VN Vasavan (Ettumanoor).
Alappuzha: Dalima Jojo (Aroor), PP Chitharanjan (Alappuzha), H Salam (Ambalappuzha), MS Arunkumar (Mavelikkara), Saji Cherian (Chengannur), U Prathibha (Kayamkulam).
Ernakulam: P Rajeev (Kalamassery), KJ Maxi (Kochi), KN Unnikrishnan (Tripunithura), MB Shiney (Vypeen), Antony John (Kothamangalam), PV Srinijan (Kunnathunadu).
Thrissur: AC Moidheen (Kunnamkulam), Minister R Bindu (Iringalakuda), Ramachandran (Puthukkad), Xavier Chittilappally (Vadakkancherry), UR Pradeep (Chelakkara), NK Akbar (Guruvayur), C Ravindranath (Manalur).
Palakkad: MB Rajesh (Thrithala), P Mammikutty (Shornur), K Premkumar (Ottapalam), K Shanthakumari (Kongad), A Prabhakaran (Malampuzha), PP Sumod (Tharur), K Preman (Nenmara), TM Sasi (Alathur).
In north Kerala, the CPI(M) has fielded a mix of senior leaders and ministers in seats across the region.
Kozhikode: TP Ramakrishnan (Perambra), Minister PA Muhammad Riyas (Beypore), K Dasan (Koyilandy), Thottathil Raveendran (Kozhikode North), KP Kunjammadkutty (Kuttyadi), Linto Joseph (Thiruvambady), KM Sachindev (Balussery).
Malappuram: Minister V Abdurahiman (Thanur), KT Jaleel (Thavanur), MK Zakir (Ponnani), U Sharafali (Nilambur), K Sabah (Vengara).
Wayanad: OR Kelu (Mananthavady), MS Viswanathan (Batheri).
Kannur: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (Dharmadam), former Health Minister KK Shailaja (Peravoor), VK Sanoj (Mattannur), TI Madhusoodanan (Payyannur), M Vijin (Kalyassery), KV Sumesh (Azheekode), PK Shyamala (Thaliparamba), Karayi Rajan (Thalassery).
Kasargod: CH Kunjambu (Uduma), VPP Mustafa (Thrikaripur).
Independents backed by CPI(M): PTA Rahim (Kunnamangalam), V Abdurahman (Tanur), Muhammed Sabah Kundukuzhikal (Vengara), U Sharafali (Nilambur), Dr KT Jaleel (Thavanur), Dr Sujith Vijayan (Chavara), Adv T Ashok Kumar (Mahi).
Seven independents are also in the fray: PTA Rahim (Kunnamangalam), V Abdurahman (Tanur), Muhammed Sabah Kundukuzhikal (Vengara), U Sharafali (Nilambur), Dr KT Jaleel (Tavanur), Dr Sujith Vijayan (Chavara), and Adv T Ashok Kumar (Mahi).
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam announced 25 nominees in the constituencies allotted to the party.
In Kasaragod district, Govindan Pallikkappil will contest from Kanhangad.
In Kozhikode, Adv P Vasantham has been fielded in Nadapuram.
In Malappuram district, Ajith Koladi will contest from Tirurangadi, Shafeer Kizhissery from Eranad, and M Musthafa from Manjeri.
In Palakkad, sitting MLA Muhammed Muhsin will contest again from Pattambi, while Mansil Abubacker has been nominated in Mannarkkad.
In Thrissur district, Alankode Leelakrishnan will contest from Thrissur, Minister K Rajan from Ollur, former MLA Geetha Gopi from Nattika, KK Vatsaraj from Kaipamangalam, and VR Sunil Kumar from Kodungallur.
In Idukki, K Salim Kumar will contest from Peerumedu, while in Kottayam P Pradeep has been fielded in Vaikom.
In Pathanamthitta district, Priji Sasidharan will contest from Adoor.
In Ernakulam, ET Tyson will contest from Paravoor, and N Arun from Muvattupuzha.
In Alappuzha district, Minister P Prasad has been nominated in Cherthala, and TT Jismon in Haripad.
In Kollam, MS Thara will contest from Karunagappally, R Rajendran from Chathannoor, Minister J Chinchurani from Chadayamangalam, and Ajaya Prasad from Punalur.
In Thiruvananthapuram district, Manoj Edamana will contest from Chirayinkeezhu, while Minister GR Anil has been fielded in Nedumangad.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
