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This is an archive article published on March 31, 2016
Kerala polls: In LDF list, Vijayan and VS, actors, journalists
While VS Achuthanandan will hope for re-election from Malampuzha, Pinarayi Vijayan is testing the electoral waters in Dharmadam
Pinarayi Vijayan (left) and VS Achuthanandan, are two of the tallest leaders of the CPM in Kerala (PTI file photo)
The Left Democratic Front announced candidates Wednesday for 124 of Kerala’s 140 seats, with the list including 43 sitting MLAS, 16 women and eight independents.
Prominent are politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan. While Vijayan is returning to electoral politics after two decades, his rival VS is seeking a fourth consecutive term as MLA. Central committee members E P Jayarajan, Thomas Isaac, A K Balan and K K Shailaja too are in the fray. Secretariat committee member M M Mani, who had publicly said the CPM had a history of killing rivals, is another key inclusion at a time the BJP has decided to make “CPM-sponsored violent politics’’ a poll theme.
Actor Mukesh, Reporter TV managing director M V Nikesh Kumar and journalist Veena George, and media critic Sebastian Paul are in the list. Mukesh and George are CPM candidates. Kumar, son of the late rebel Communist M V Raghavan, will be an LDF-backed independent from Azhikode. Mukesh, son of late O Madhavan, one of the earliest Communist leaders, will contest Kollam in place of veteran P K Gurudasan.
The CPM had considered actress K P A C Lalitha from Vadakkanchery, but she opted out following protests; Thrissur district panchayat member Mary Thomas will contest.
The CPI, which is contesting 27 seats, has announced 25 of the candidates, who include only three prominent leaders, Mullakkara Rathnakaran, C Divakaran and V S Sunil Kumar.
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