THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM State General Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has made an official announcement regarding the party's candidates for the upcoming by-elections. He said that CPM has decided to field younger candidates in order to ensure victory in all the five constituencies.

Kodiyeri announced that DYFI state vice presidents KU Janeesh Kumar and Manu C Pullikkal will contest from Konni and Aroor constituencies respectively. While Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor VK Prasanth will contest from Vattiyoorkavu, the party will support Manu Roy, the independent candidate in Ernakulam. Contrary to earlier reports, Kodiyeri announced that the party will field Shankar Ray in Manjeshwaram constituency.

It must be noted that all five candidates are fresh faces in assembly elections. Kodiyeri said that a final decision regarding the candidates was made after much discussions. He also expressed confidence that VK Prasanth will secure victory in Vattiyoorkavu as he has gained huge popularity by actively participating in the relief works during the recent floods. Though initial reports said that CH Kunhambu will contest in Manjeshwaram, it was the state leadership which intervened in the last minute to finalize Shankar Ray as the candidate.

On the other hand, both UDF and BJP are yet to make a final announcement regarding its candidates.