The Left Democratic Front (LDF) sought to steal a march on the Congress-led United Democratic Front with its two main alliance partners, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI (Marxist), announcing their candidates within an hour of the Election Commission of India (ECI) announcing the April 9 polling date for the Kerala assembly elections. | Photo credit: KK Mustafah
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) sought to steal a march on the Congress-led United Democratic Front with its two main alliance partners, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI (Marxist), announcing their candidates within an hour of the Election Commission of India (ECI) announcing the April 9 polling date for the Kerala assembly elections on Sunday, March 26 (1203).
Follow-up press conferences by CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam appeared to be a televised cue for dozens of LDF workers to organize a roadshow with the ruling front party’s candidates in tow.
Highlights of the 2026 parliamentary elections
106 candidates appointed
Mr. Govindan announced candidates for 81 seats, including six CPI(M)-backed LDF candidates contesting as independents, including the Palakkad seat. The other 75 candidates will contest the election on a party ticket, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan and cabinet ministers in the state government. All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) leader PK Shyamala will contest from Thaliparambu in Kannur.
Of the 81 candidates, 56 are incumbents, including former Devaswom Board Minister Kadakampalla Surendran. Spokesperson AN Shamsheer, CPI(M) state secretariat member M Swaraj and Mr Govindan himself are not in the fray.
Mr. Viswam said the CPI would field 25 candidates, including one who would contest as an independent. Four sitting ministers including K Rajan, GR Anil, J Chinchurani and P Prasad will contest.
The CPI also decided to fight hard against Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan at his home ground in Paravoor by fielding the sitting MLA for Kaipamangalam, ET Taison. Mr. Govindan said other LDF partners, including the Kerala Congress (M), would also announce their candidates soon.
Congress-IUML meeting
Facing the threat of being overtaken by the LDF in the election campaign, the Congress-led UDF sought to finalize seat-sharing in its own coalition on Sunday (15 March 2026), with Mr Satheesan and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala holding a closed-door meeting with the Indian Union Muslim League leadership at Aluva Palace in Aluva.
The meeting assumed importance against the backdrop of reports that the IUML was demanding a higher number of seats, including several in central Kerala, in a bid to expand the party’s political base and also demonstrate its weight in the UDF. Additionally, the IUML is reportedly considering whether to swap seats with the Congress in Thiruvambadi, Pattambi, Kongadu and Kalamassery constituencies.
Congress insiders said former State Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP K Sudhakaran’s claim that he would contest the Kannur Assembly election has caused a hiccup in the finalization of party candidates ahead of the Madhusoodhanan Mistry-led AICC Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting next week. The party has also faced difficulties in selecting assembly candidates as several leaders are vying for seats.
Published – 15 March 2026 20:57 IST
