CPM takes decision on LS poll candidates: KK Shailaja in Vadakara, surprise candidate in Malappuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The final decision regarding the CPM candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls was taken at the party state secretariat meeting held today. The official announcement may take place on February 26. After the decision of the state leadership, the Politburo will officially announce the candidates.

In Vadakara, KK Shailaja was on the list of possibilities to contest. Minister K Radhakrishnan will contest in Alathur. DYFI state president Vaseef will be the candidate in Malappuram. The names of VP Zanu and Afzal were considered but unexpectedly the lot fell to Vaseef. C Ravindranath will contest in Chalakudy and KJ Shine will contest in Ernakulam.

Final list of CPM candidates

Attingal- V Joy

Kollam- M Mukesh

Pathanamthitta- Thomas Isaac

Alappuzha- AM Arif

Ernakulam- KJ Shine

Chalakudy- C Ravindranath

Alathur- K Radhakrishnan

Malappuram- V Wasif

Ponnani- KS Hamza

Kozhikode - Elamaram Karim

Vadakara- KK Shailaja

Palakkad - A Vijayaraghavan

Kannur - MV Jayarajan

Kasaragod- MV Balakrishnan

Independent candidate in Thiruvananthapuram
Indications are that the CPI is considering an independent candidate to take on Dr. Shashi Tharoor of the Congress in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, which is attracting national attention. Social and literary notables who are left-wing thinkers interested in CPM are considered. The names of Pannyan Ravindran and Minister GR Anil are being considered but both of them have not expressed interest in contesting.

It is almost certain that former minister VS Sunilkumar will be a candidate in Thrissur. It is estimated that Sunil Kumar can put up a strong fight here where the triangular competition is sure. If Rahul Gandhi contests again in Wayanad, it is planned to field the national executive member Annie Raja there to make the fight tougher. The names of Sathyan Mokeri and PP Suneer are also in discussions.