Historic Mission Continues with People's Leaders: CPI(M) Announces Candidates

Thiruvananthapuram: For a stronger and more powerful Nava Keralam, the CPI(M) has announced its list of candidates. The list includes from prominent leaders like Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has led Kerala for a decade with a focus on people's welfare and development projects to U. Sharafali, who became a national pride through football. The list of 81 candidates was revealed by CPI(M) State Secretary M. V. Govindan at a press conference. Among them, six are independent candidates, with more independent candidates to be announced for five additional constituencies. The candidates for the constituencies of Koduvally, Kottakkal, Kondotti, Tirur, and Palakkad will be announced soon. The candidate for the Mahi constituency has also been declared by the CPI(M).

The list includes 11 ministers and 54 sitting MLAs, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It also features a Politburo member, four Central Committee members, and three State Secretariat members. DYFI State Secretary V. K. Sanoj is also contesting in the election. Among the candidates, 9 are women.

Pinarayi Vijayan is the Politburo member. The Central Committee members include K. K. Shailaja, K. N. Balagopal, P. Rajiv, T. P. Ramakrishnan, while the State Secretariat members include P. A. Muhammad Riyas, V. N. Vasavan, Saji Cheriyan, and K. K. Jayachandran.

Excluding the Chief Minister, the other contesting ministers are O. R. Kelu, P. A. Muhammad Riyas, V. Abdul Rahman, M. B. Rajesh, Dr. R. Bindu, P. Rajiv, V. N. Vasavan, Saji Cheriyan, Veena George, K. N. Balagopal, and V. N. Shivankutty.

The women candidates include K. K. Shailaja, P. K. Shyamala, K. Shanthakumari, R. Bindu, Adv. M. B. Shini, Adv. Pushpa Das, Daleema Jojo, U. Prathiba, Veena George, and O. S. Ambika. Among them, one is a current minister and one is a former minister.