Clarity on LDF candidate list for Idukki

As the Assembly elections draw near, the candidate list for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the hilly district of Idukki has become nearly clear.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided to field its Idukki district secretary, K. Salim Kumar, as the candidate for the Peerumade constituency—a seat the party has held for several terms. The CPI State Council has already approved Mr. Kumar’s candidacy. The party also considered District Secretariat member Jose Philip and Sobith Soman, son of former Peerumade MLA, Vazhoor Soman.

According to party sources, internal issues within the CPI remain a major hurdle for Mr. Kumar in Peerumade. Recently, several local leaders left the party to join the Congress, the BJP, and the CPI(M).

In Udumbanchola, the CPI(M) State Secretariat has replaced the name of veteran leader M.M. Mani, approving former MLA and CPI(M) Idukki District Secretary K.K. Jayachandran as the candidate. While the district secretariat had recommended Mr Mani for another term, the State committee opted for the change, a move the district wing subsequently approved.

In the Devikulam constituency, sitting MLA A. Raja will contest for another term, with both the district and State secretariats of the CPI(M) approving his name.

The Idukki and Thodupuzha seats are held by LDF ally Kerala Congress (M). In Idukki, sitting MLA and Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine will seek another term. However, the KC(M) has not yet announced a candidate for the Thodupuzha constituency.

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are yet to announce their candidates for the district. The Congress district leadership has demanded the Idukki seat from the Kerala Congress (Joseph faction) to field a strong candidate against Roshy Augustine, but discussions remain inconclusive.

According to party sources, three-time MLA and former CPI(M) leader S. Rajendran may contest in Devikulam as an NDA candidate. Mr Rajendran recently joined the BJP, stating that his influence among plantation workers in Munnar would be used to ensure a victory for the party in Devikulam.