Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM has announced its candidates for the by-elections. State Secretary M.V. Govindan declared the candidates for the Chellakkara and Palakkad assembly constituencies. Dr. P. Sarin will contest from Palakkad, while former MLA U.R. Pradeep will contest from Chellakkara. Due to a dispute over the seat, P. Sarin, who was with Congress, is now running as an independent candidate under the LDF. The district secretariat unanimously accepted Sarin’s candidacy.
The by-elections in Palakkad were prompted by the victory of MLA Shafi Parampil in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency. Rahul Mankoottil’s name is being considered for Congress in Palakkad, ensuring a strong chance of victory. A fierce competition is expected between Sarin and Rahul.
In Chellakkara, the by-elections were set in motion following K. Radhakrishnan’s victory in the Alakkode Lok Sabha constituency. The UDF has fielded Ramya Haridas, who managed to reduce Radhakrishnan’s majority in the Lok Sabha elections. U.R. Pradeep, a former MLA, poses a significant challenge to Congress’s efforts to reclaim Chellakkara.
Meanwhile, the CPI had previously announced that Satyan Mokeri would contest as the LDF candidate in Wayanad, where Priyanka Gandhi is competing. Wayanad has garnered national attention with Rahul Gandhi’s arrival. After victories in Raebareli and Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi opted to contest from Raebareli, leaving Wayanad. It has been previously announced that Priyanka Gandhi will be the UDF candidate in place of Rahul.
