The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming 2024 Indian general elections in Kerala. The leftist party is fielding candidates in 15 of the 20 parliamentary constituencies in the state. With a strong grassroots presence, the CPI(M) will look to regain some of the seats it lost in the previous Lok Sabha polls.
CPI (M) Kerala Candidates List for 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
- A.M. Ariff – Alappuzha
- K. S. Hamsa – Ponnani
- K. Radhakrishnan (Alathur)
- V. Joy (Attingal)
- Professor C. Raveendranath (Chalakudy)
- K. J. Shine (Ernakulam)
- Joyce George (Idukki)
- M. V. Jayarajan (Kannur)
- M. V. Balakrishnan (Kasaragod)
- M. Mukesh (Kollam)
- Elamaram Kareem (Kozhikode)
- V. Waseef (Malappuram)
- A. Vijayaraghavan (Palakkad)
- T.M. Thomas Isaac (Pathanamthitta)
- K. K. Shailaja (Vadakara).
The candidate list contains a mix of veteran leaders and newcomers. Sitting MP from Alappuzha, A.M Ariff has been given the ticket once again. Other prominent names include former health minister KK Shailaja who will contest from Vadakara and former finance minister TM Thomas Isaac who is the candidate from Pathanamthitta. The party will also field multiple former legislators like MV Jayarajan from Kannur and Joyce George from Idukki.
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Date in Kerala
The election date for the Lok Sabha polls is still unclear but is expected in the first half of 2024, before the current term ends in May. The CPI(M) Kerala unit will announce more names in coming weeks for the remaining constituencies. Campaigning will be in full flow next year once the election commission announces the specific timeline. All candidates will crisscross the state with roadshows and rallies to shore up support. For now, the CPI(M) seems to have made some smart candidate selections targeting vulnerable seats. It remains to be seen if they can translate it into wins when Kerala heads to the polls next year.
The CPI(M) has unveiled its initial battle plan for Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With seasoned politicians and new faces, they hope to better the party’s national tally and increase left presence in parliament. However, the path ahead is filled with challenges given potential anti-incumbency and a resurgent opposition.
The CPI(M) Kerala unit has its task cut out as they seek to build on past governance performance and highlight achievements that appeal to diverse voter groups. The electoral scene could witness sharp polarization around sensitive topics like Sabarimala. Regardless of the final seat tally, the CPI(M) candidates named so far will ensure the Kerala races generate plenty of buzz when India enters election mode next year. The state’s projection onto the national stage during campaigning could see local issues shape national debates going into the 2024 parliamentary polls.
