CPM's list is out, election campaign is about to heat up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the preparation of the list of CPM candidates, which includes senior leaders and young people, the election campaign will be in full swing very soon. Although the party has not made an official announcement, reports are suggesting that the leadership has already given tacit approval for the campaign. It is interesting to note that Dr Thomas Isaac and KK Shailaja are on the list. At the same time, there is criticism that some leaders of the party are attempting to get rid of popular leader Shailaja from state politics by sending her to Delhi. Interestingly, Isaac was denied a legislative seat last time for completing two terms as MLA, while Shailaja was denied a ministerial post.

CPM Thiruvananthapuram district secretary and Varkala MLA V Joy, one of the popular faces of CPM, will pose a tough challenge for Adoor Prakash in Attingal. If Union Minister V Muraleedharan joins as a BJP candidate, it will pave the way for a strong three-cornered contest in the constituency.

Although Thomas Isaac, who is also the intellectual face of the party, is very hopeful of winning in Pathanamthitta, the constituency is a stronghold of the UDF. The votes won by the BJP candidate will also be crucial. Actor Mukesh, who is also the current MLA in Kollam, is contesting against NK Premachandran. The party hopes that Mukesh's star status can be crucial.

While giving a chance to Arif once again in Alappuzha, the party has fielded KJ Shine, a woman candidate in Ernakulam. She is a leader of KSTA. Meanwhile, A Vijayaraghavan will test his luck again in Palakkad. Minister K Radhakrishnan has been assigned as a strong candidate in Alathur. CITU All India leader and Rajya Sabha member Elamaram Kareem has been fielded against MK Raghavan in Kozhikode.

Former Health Minister and current MLA KK Shailaja has the task of defeating sitting MP K Muraleedharan in Vadakara. While V Wasif, from DYFI leadership, will contest in Malappuram, the Ponnani seat has been given to former league leader KS Hamza. It is reported that the party has confirmed MV Jayarajan and MV Balakrishnan as its candidates in Kannur and Kasaragod respectively.