Full list of CPI(M)-led LDF's candidates in Kerala

The CPI (M) is contesting in 16 seats and the CPI in four.
Full list of CPI(M)-led LDF's candidates in Kerala
Full list of CPI(M)-led LDF's candidates in Kerala
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Among the three fronts in Kerala, it was the Left Democratic Front that first released the candidates' list. The CPI (M) leads the LDF, which is the ruling coalition in the state. The second largest constituent in the coalition is CPI.

The total of 20 seats is divided between the CPI (M) and the CPI.  

Other major constituents are the Janatha Dal (Secular), Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Marxist Party (Aravindakshan), Congress (Socialist), Kerala Congress (B), among the 13 minor parties that form the coalition. The LDF won eight seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with CPI (M) winning five seats and CPI bagging one. Two independents that were supported by the LDF won a seat each- Joyce Geogre in Idukki and Innocent in Chalakudy. 

Here is the full list of candidates: 

Alappuzha — AM Ariff of the CPI (M). He is a sitting MLA of Aroor constituency in Alappuzha. The 54-year-old has been representing the constituency since 2006. 

Alathur — PK Biju of the CPI (M), sitting MP. The 44-year old won from the seat in Palakkad district in 2014, as well as in 2009.

Attingal — A Sampath of the CPI (M), sitting MP. He won from Chirayinkeezh seat in 1996. Attingal constituency came into existence in 2008 after dissolution of Chirayinkeezhu constituency. He won from Attingal in 2000 and 2014.  

Chalakkudy — 71-year-old Innocent of the CPI (M), sitting MP. The actor turned politician won from the same seat in 2014 as a Left backed candidate. This time, he is contesting under the party symbol. 

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

Ernakulam — P Rajeev of the CPI (M). He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2015. He is a member of the CPI (M) state Secretariat, former Ernakulam disrict secretary of the CPI (M) and the Chief Editor of the party mouth piece Deshabhimani. 

Idukki — 48-year-old Joyce George is the sitting MP. LDF backed independent. He won from the same seat with the Left backing in 2014. 

Kannur — Sitting MP, 69-year-old PK Sreemathy. Senior leader of the CPI (M). Former minister of Health and Social Justice of the state from 2006 to 2011. She was an MLA from 2001 to 2011. 

Kasargode — KP Satheesh Chandran. Fresh face in LS polls. The 62-year old had been elected to the Assembly in 1996 and 2001. He had become active in politics through Students Federation of India (SFI). Former Kasargode district secretary of the CPI (M).

Kollam — KN Balagopal. He is a member of the CPI (M) state Secretariat. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2010 to 2016. Former Kollam district secretary of the CPI (M).

Kottayam — VN Vasavan- CPI (M). Strong face of the party in Kottayam. Secretary of the District Committee. Former MLA representing Kottayam from 2006 to 2011.

Kozhikode — A Pradeep Kumar, 55-year-old sitting MLA of the CPI (M) from Kozhikode (North) seat. This is his second stint as a legislator, the first was from 2006 to 2011. 

Malappuram — 30-year-old VP Sanu of the CPI (M). The youngest among the Left candidates. National President of the SFI. 

Mavelikkara — Chittayam Gopakumar, sitting MLA of the CPI. The 53-year old represents Adoor constituency in the Assembly. 

Palakkad — MB Rajesh, sitting MP of the seat. He had also won in 2009. The 48-year old is known as a vocal face of the party in parliament.

Pathanamthitta — 44-year-old Veena George. Former journalist and sitting MLA of Aranmula seat. In 2016 Assembly elections, she contested as a Left backed independent. This time, she is contesting under the party symbol.


Ponnani — 51-year-old PV Anwar, LDF backed MLA of Nilambur. He is contesting as an LDF backed independent this time. A businessman as well, he has been accused of violating laws for constructing a water theme park. 

Thiruvananthapuram — C Divakaran, senior leader of the CPI. Sitting MLA of Nedumangad seat in Thiruvananthapuram. He had also won the Assembly polls in 2006 and 2011. The 76-year-old was Minister for Food and Civil Supplies from 2006 to 2011. 

Thrissur — 65-year-old Rajaji Mathew Thomas of the CPI. Fresh face in LS polls. Editor of CPI mouthpiece Janayugam. He had won the Assembly seat from Ollur in 2006. 

Vadakara — P Jayarajan of the CPI (M). He was CPI (M) Kannur District Secretary while being picked to contest from Vadakara. He is an accused in two murder cases.

Wayanad — PP Suneer of the CPI. He was former district secretary of the party in Malappuram.

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