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

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 Assembly elections to be held on April 9 in the state. Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are yet to announce their candidates.

CPI(M) is fielding all its sitting MLAs except Koyilandy. The candidates are KP Kunhammad Kutty (Kuttiyadi), TP Ramakrishnan (Perambra), KM Sachindev (Balussery), K. Dasan (Koyilandy), Thottathil Raveendran (Kozhikode North), PA Mohamed Riyas (Beypore) and Linto Joseph (Thiruvambady). Mr. Dasan, a former MLA from Koyilandy, is back in the field following the death of Kanathil Jameela, who won the 2021 polls from there. The CPI candidate in Nadapuram is P. Vasantham. INL has recommended Ahamed Devarkovil, MLA from Kozhikode South and former minister. In Kunnamangalam, Independent MLA PTA Raheem is seeking re-election. LDF is yet to declare candidates in Vadakara, allotted to Rashtriya Janata Dal, Elathur and Koduvally, allotted to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).

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

Meanwhile, seat-sharing talks in the UDF are reportedly in the final stages. Former MLA PV Anvar has already started his campaign in Beypore as a UDF-backed Independent. The Congress has reportedly proposed K. Praveenkumar (Koyilandy), K. Jayanth (Kozhikode North) and KM Abhijith (Nadapuram). The names of Vidya Balakrishnan and VT 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 KK Rema of the Revolutionary Marxist Party is also expected to contest another term from Vadakara. According to sources, the Thiruvambady seat has become a bone of contention between the Congress and IUML. While Congress wants to take it back from IUML, no consensus has yet been reached on its replacement.

NDA is yet to officially announce its candidates. BJP leaders like Navya Haridas, KP Prakash Babu and Praful Krishnan are likely to get party tickets this time.