THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fronts are in the early stages of seat negotiations amid reports that the Lok Sabha polls will be announced at any moment. Candidate discussions have also started. Apart from the current MPs, the parties are trying to field many talented people.

There were also reports that the BJP was considering ISRO Chairman S Somanath in the capital. Suresh Gopi himself may contest as a BJP candidate in Thrissur. There were reports that actor Unni Mukundan's name was on the list of BJP candidates, but the actor's manager denied this. Singer KS Chitra's name was also heard high in the list of candidates. The last name to be heard in this regard is that of actress Manju Warrier. Lady Superstar Manju Warrier is being discussed as a candidate, reports New Indian Express. It is reported that the star is being considered in Chalakudy constituency. Earlier actor Innocent had won in Chalakudy on a CPM ticket.

It was agreed in the CPM central committee meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram that strong candidates should be fielded and to win as many seats as possible. The party is trying to win back the Chalakudy constituency accordingly. Currently, Benny Behanan is the MP of Chalakudy. The party leaders are not ruling out the possibility of Manju Warrier becoming a candidate like Innocent unexpectedly becoming a candidate in 2014. LDF District Convenor George Edaparathy has also stated that candidate discussions have started and at this stage, no name including Manju Warrier has been ruled out. The CPM state committee will take the final decision in this regard. Apart from Manju Warrier, the names of former minister Prof C Ravindranath, DYFI leader Jaick C. Thomas and CITU leader UP Joseph are also under consideration. Meanwhile, Manju Warrier has not responded in this regard.

Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency consists of Kaipamangalam, Chalakudy, Kodungallur in Thrissur district and Perumbavoor, Angamaly, Aluva and Kunnathunad assembly constituencies in Ernakulam district. Chalakudy constituency was formed in 2008 after the Mukundapuram constituency was abolished due to the re-allocation of constituencies.