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

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Indian National League (INL) have announced their candidates for the April 9 Assembly elections in Kozhikode district. These three constituent parties of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) are vying for seats in the region. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have yet to announce their nominees. CPI(M) is fielding all its incumbent MLAs, except in Koyilandy. The party has nominated K.P. Kunhammad Kutty for Kuttiyadi, T.P. Ramakrishnan for Perambra, K.M. Sachindev for Balussery, K. Dasan for Koyilandy, Thottathil Raveendran for Kozhikode North, P.A. Mohamed Riyas for Beypore, and Linto Joseph for Thiruvambady. Koyilandy seat is being contested by former MLA Dasan, who is replacing the late Kanathil Jameela. In Nadapuram, the CPI candidate is P. Vasantham. The INL has proposed Ahamed Devarkovil from Nadapuram for a second term as a sitting MLA and former Minister. Independent MLA P.T.A. Raheem is seeking re-election in Kunnamangalam. The LDF has yet to announce candidates for Vadakara, which is allotted to the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Elathur, allotted to the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Koduvally. Seat-sharing talks are reportedly nearing completion in the UDF. Former MLA P.V. Anvar has already begun campaigning as an independent backed by the UDF. The Congress is reported to have proposed K. Praveenkumar for Koyilandy, K. Jayanth for Kozhikode North, and K.M. Abhijith for Nadapuram. Names of Vidya Balakrishnan and V.T. Sooraj are being considered for Elathur and Balussery respectively. Former MLA Parakkal Abdulla of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is expected to contest from Kuttiyadi, and K.K. Rema of the Revolutionary Marxist Party is seeking