Kerala Assembly Polls 2026: Sudheer Karamana to be LDF Independent candidate in Thiruvanananthapuram

Front fields Independents Shanavas Padhoor from Kasaragod, C.P. Musthafa from Vallikkunnu, and Mohammad Sameer from Tanur

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Saturday announced actor Sudheer Karamana as its Independent candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the upcoming Assembly election. The front also announced the candidature of Independents Shanavas Padhoor from Kasaragod, C.P. Musthafa from Vallikunnu, and Mohammad Sameer from Tanur.

A Left co-traveller, Mr. Karamana, will face Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) leader C.P. John and BJP candidate Karamana Jayan. A decision on the LDF’s candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency was pending as the seat had been allotted to the ally Janadhipathya Kerala Congress (JKC). JKC leader and sitting MLA Antony Raju was disqualified after a magistrate’s court here convicted and sentenced him in a case related to tampering with evidence. The JKC failed to field another candidate, prompting the LDF to field the actor.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Karamana said he would use the opportunity to work for the people. He said that as a local person, he knew every nook and cranny of Thiruvananthapuram, as well as the sentiments and issues of the people.

“I see cinema and politics differently. I am a teacher and a film actor, which I see as part of social work. The end aim is to live and work for society. I see this as an opportunity to enter public life,” he said.

LDF sitting MLA and Minister V. Abdurahiman’s candidature was shifted from Tanur to Tirur, following which Mr. Sameer was picked to contest from Tanur.