ON March 9, before the announcement of schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Left Democratic Front in Kerala announced its candidates for the 20 constituencies in the state. CPI(M) is contesting 16 seats and CPI in four. Six MLA’s and six sitting MP’s are in the fray, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said in a media conference at Thiruvananthapuram.

CPI(M) central committee member and MP, K Sreemathy will contest again in Kannur. A former health minister of Kerala during 2006-011, Sreemathy also functions as AIDWA’s all India treasurer.

K P Satheesh Chandran a former MLA from Thrikkarippur will contest in Kasarkode constituency, a stronghold of LDF where P Karunakaran had won consecutively in 2004, 2009 and 2014. CPI M’s former Kasarkod district secretary Satheesh Chandran had emerged as a leader through SFI and DYFI.

In Vadakara, CPI (M) has fielded its district secretary P Jayarajan a former MLA and a victim of RSS’s brutal atrocity. He won from Koothuparamba assembly constituency thrice. He spearheads a palliative care movement which gives solace to thousands of bedridden patients in Kannur district.

CPI has fielded its state executive member and LDF Malappuram district convener P P Suneer in Wayanad constituency. He contested twice from Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency.

A Pradeepkumar a three time MLA from Kozhikode North will contest from Kozhikode. A popular MLA well known for his pro peoples interventions especially in schools in his constituency is a state committee member of CPI (M). He is a former president of SFI state committee and former secretary DYFI state committee.

SFI all India President V P Sanu will contest Malappuram. Thirty years old he holds a masters degree in social work and also is MCom. He will pose a serious challenge to UDF candidate in the Muslim League bastion.

In Ponani LDF fields CPI (M) backed P V Anwar who currently is a legislator from Nilambur constituency. Anwar, a former Congress leader wrested Nialmbur assembly constituency which was long time stronghold of Congress veteran Aryadan Muhammed.

Two times Parliament Member M B Rajesh will contest again in Palakkad to gain a third consecutive victory. He won this seat in 2009 and 2014. Last time his margin was more than one lakh votes. Former SFI leader and LLB holder has post graduation in Economics too. His performance in parliament was appreciated by even the opponents. Rajesh is state committee member of CPI (M).

P K Biju will again contest in Alathur where he won in 2009 and 2014. He raised various issues including agriculture crisis. A native of Vaikom in Kottayam district became SFI all India president in 2008. He is now state committee member of CPI(M).

Sitting MP and well known actor Innocent will again contest in Chalakkudi to wrest another victory. He won the heart of millions by taking up various development activities in his constituency.

P Rajeev, CPI(M) state secretariat member and Chief Editor of Deshabhimani is contesting from Eranakulam. His performance as a parliamentarian was lauded by the political opponents.

CPI(M) backed independent Joyce George will again contest in Idukki. In 2014 he won this seat with a margin of more than 50 thousand votes. The developmental activities he took up have made a huge change in the constituency.

CPI(M) district secretary and former legislator V N Vasavan will contest in Kottayam. He heads Abhayam a well known charitable organisation.

M A Arif MLA will contest in Alappuzha constituency. A former SFI leader and CPI(M) district committee member Arif came in to electoral with an unexpected victory over UDF candidate K R Gauriamma in 2006. His margin has significantly increased in last two elections.

CPI fields Chittayam Gopakumar MLA from Adoor to contest in Mavelikkara constituency. He won last two elections with a considerable increase in margin. He is currently parliamentary secretary of CPI.

A former media personality and a college lecturer, currently a legislator from Pathanamthitta, Veena George will contest from Pathanamthitta. She is now CPI(M) Pathanamthitta area committee member. She served as a first woman executive director of media house.

Former Rajya Sabha member and CPI(M) state secretariat member K N Balagopal will contest from Kollam. A former Kollam district secretary he has served as SFI and DYFI leader.

A three term MP, A Sampath will again contest in Attingal. He serves as CPI(M) district committee member and CITU national council member.

Thiruvananthapuram is going to witness a tough fight as LDF nominates senior CPI leader C Divakaran as the candidate for the parliamentary seat. Currently he is a legislator from Nedumangad assembly constituency. He has also served as the civil supplies minister of Kerala in LDF government headed by V S Achuthanandan.

List of candidates contesting from CPI(M)