Election without Oommen Chandy, Kodiyeri and Kanam

KOZHIKODE: This is the first Lok Sabha election in which VS Achuthanandan, who used to attract the masses in the elections till 2019, will not be active. VS's last speech was during the public campaign for the by-election in Vattiyoorkavu. He had campaigned all over Kerala in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections held six months before that. VS is resting at his son's home after suffering a stroke.

No strategies of Oommen Chandy
The UDF has not been able to fill the gap of Oommen Chandy and KM Mani who led the front for decades. KM Mani passed away on April 9, just before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. At the same time, Oommen Chandy was the one who held the strings of the Congress's struggles in Kerala for half a century. Even when K Karunakaran and AK Antony led the Congress, Oommen Chandy's words and interventions imparted strength to the Congress. Oommen Chandy was very much active during the public campaigns for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The former Chief Minister passed away on 18 July 2023.

Burning memory of Kodiyeri
This is the first Lok Sabha election without former CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was very active during the election campaigns of the CPM and the LDF. The demise of Kodiyeri, who faced every crisis of the CPM with a smile, was sudden. Kodiyeri passed away on October 1, 2022. Kodiyeri's absence is still felt in the party. When allegations were raised against his sons, Kodiyeri loudly shouted that his sons and the party were two.

Kanam-LDF's spearhead
Former CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran was the spearhead of the CPI as well as the LDF. He passed away on December 8, 2023. Kanam was one leader who always raised his voice against anyone who did what was not right. Kerala used to eagerly wait for Kanam's words during the time of elections.