LDF, UDF to fight for dominance in capital district

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the upcoming Assembly elections, the LDF is aiming to retain its stronghold in the capital district by fielding sitting MLAs again. At the same time, the Congress is preparing by considering multiple potential candidates from the same constituency, taking into account the political and community background of each seat as well as past election experiences. The BJP is also targeting to win more than one seat.

In 2021, the LDF secured a landslide victory in the district by winning 13 out of the total 14 Assembly constituencies. The UDF managed to win only Kovalam. The BJP, which once won Nemom, could not repeat the victory in the last election.

Last time, two seats were allotted to the CPI, and one each to Janadhipathya Kerala Congress and Janata Dal. Among them, only the Janata Dal failed to win. In the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, if Antony Raju is unable to contest, the CPM may take over that seat as well. Unless the leadership intervenes and makes changes, the CPM candidate list is almost clear. Though the CPI has not finalised its candidates, Minister G.R. Anil is likely to contest again from Nedumangad. In Chirayinkeezhu, V. Sasi is the probable candidate. If V. Sasi, who has represented the constituency since 2011, does not contest, young leader Manoj Edamana may be considered.

There is less clarity regarding UDF candidates. K. Muraleedharan in Vattiyoorkavu and M. Vincent in Kovalam are almost certain candidates. In several other constituencies, more than one name is under consideration. The BJP is trying to reclaim Nemom, which it won in 2016, by fielding state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Apart from Nemom, Kazhakkoottam, where V. Muraleedharan is likely to contest, is the only constituency where the NDA candidate picture is clear. Names being considered in other seats include P.K. Krishnadas in Kattakkada, city district president Karamana Jayan in Thiruvananthapuram, and former DGP and corporation councillor R. Sreelekha in Vattiyoorkavu.