LDF declares 10 candidates in Kozhikode, UDF, NDA yet to announce nominees

LDF announces 10 candidates for Kozhikode Assembly polls; UDF and NDA yet to reveal their nominees.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Indian National League (INL), constituents of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), have declared candidates in Kozhikode district for the April 9 Assembly polls in the State. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are yet to announce their nominees.

The CPI(M) is fielding all its incumbent MLAs, except in Koyilandy. The candidates are K.P. Kunhammad Kutty (Kuttiyadi), T.P. Ramakrishnan (Perambra), K.M. Sachindev (Balussery), K. Dasan (Koyilandy), Thottathil Raveendran (Kozhikode North), P.A. Mohamed Riyas (Beypore), and Linto Joseph (Thiruvambady). Mr. Dasan, a former MLA from Koyilandy, is being fielded again in the wake of the demise of Kanathil Jameela, who won from there in the 2021 polls. In Nadapuram, the CPI candidate is P. Vasantham. From Kozhikode South, the INL has proposed Ahamed Devarkovil, sitting MLA and former Minister. In Kunnamangalam, Independent MLA P.T.A. Raheem is seeking a mandate again. The LDF is yet to declare candidates in Vadakara, which is allotted to the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Elathur, allotted to the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Koduvally.

A roadshow held at Kothi in Kozhikode city on March 15 to welcome Ahamed Devarkovil, who is contesting as an LDF candidate from Kozhikode South Assembly constituency. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Meanwhile, seat-sharing talks are reportedly in the final stages in the UDF. Former MLA P.V. Anvar has already begun his campaigning in Beypore as a UDF-backed Independent. The Congress is reported to have proposed K. Praveenkumar (Koyilandy), K. Jayanth (Kozhikode North), and K.M. Abhijith (Nadapuram). Names of Vidya Balakrishnan and V.T. Sooraj are doing the rounds for Elathur and Balussery, respectively. Former MLA Parakkal Abdulla of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is expected to contest from Kuttiyadi, and K.K. Rema of the Revolutionary Marxist Party is all set to seek another term from Vadakara. According to sources, the Thiruvambady seat has become a bone of contention between the Congress and the IUML. While the Congress wants to take it back from the IUML, a consensus is yet to be reached over its replacement.

The NDA is also yet to officially announce its candidates. BJP leaders such as Navya Haridas, K.P. Prakash Babu, and Praful Krishnan are likely to get a party ticket this time.