CPM candidates' list: K K Shailaja Teacher almost certain in Vadakara

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM is on the last-lap duties to select the best-fit candidates for the LS polls. The party looks for rejuvenation from the drubbing it received in the 2019 elections. Popularity will be the yardstick in candidate determination.

CPM is contesting in fifteen constituencies. It is indicated that the current MP AM Arif himself will retain his candidacy in Alappuzha. Although KK Shailaja has more chances in Kannur, there is a strong demand within the party to keep Shailaja in Vadakara to win back the seat from the UDF.

C Ravindranath may contest in Chalakudy and Minister K Radhakrishnan in Alathur. K T Jaleel may be fielded from Ponnani while Elamaram Kareem’s name is heard in Kozhikode. A Vijayaraghavan may contest in Palakkad, however names of V Wasif and M Swaraj are also under contention in this constituency. In Kasaragod, TV Rajesh and District Secretary MV Balakrishnan are on the list.

In Attingal, the name of District Secretary and Varkala MLA V Joy is being discussed, but Kadakampally Surendran also stands a chance. When it comes to Kollam, C S Sujatha, Mukesh and district panchayat president P K Gopan are likely to contest.

The CPM state secretariat which met on Friday instructed the district committees to provide the list of possible candidates within two days. District Committees and Parliamentary Constituency Committees will meet tomorrow and the day after. The state committee will take a final decision on the 27th.