Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala CPM state secretary MV Govindan on Sunday announced the party candidates for the state assembly elections. Addressing the media at AKG Centre here, Govindan listed the LDF government’s major projects, including Wayanad township project and the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

“CPM is contesting in 86 seats in the state. A total of 56 sitting MLAs are also in the fray,” said Govindan. He confirmed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will contest the polls. 

He maded the announcement minutes after the Election Commission of India declared the poll schedule for the state. The assembly elections will be held in the Kerala on April 9 and results will be announced on May 4. The CPM-led LDF is eyeing a third consecutive term this time.

"CPM candidates are contesting in 75 constituencies, while six others are contesting as independents. The party will announce its independent candidates for five seats - Koduvally, Kottakkal, Kondotty, Tirur and Palakkad later," said the CPM secretary.

He added that the candidates for the remaining seats will be announced within two days.

Adv T Ashok Kumar will contest as the CPM-backed independent candidate in Mahe which comes under Puducherry.

Ministers V Sivankutty, MB Rajesh, Veena George, VN Vasavan, P Rajeev, Dr R Bindu, KN Balagopal, PA Mohammed Riyas, OR Kelu, V Abdurahiman and Saji Cherian are also among the party’s candidates. LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan, Senior party leaders KK Shailaja, Prof C Raveendranath will contest from Perambara, Peravoor and Manalur constituencies respectively.

Former Indian footballer U Sharafali will contest as CPM's independent candidate from Nilambur in Malappuram.

The list of the candidates are as follows:

1. Manjeshwaram – KR Jayanandan
2. Uduma – Adv CH Kunhambu
3. Trikaripur – Dr VPP Musthafa
4. Payyannur – TI Madhusoodanan
5. Taliparamba – PK Shyamala Teacher
6. Azhikode – KV Sumesh
7. Kalliasseri – M Vijin
8. Dharmadam – Pinarayi Vijayan
9. Mattannur – VK Sanoj
10. Peravoor – KK Shailaja Teacher
11. Thalassery – Karayi Rajan
12. Mananthavady – OR Kelu
13. Sulthan Bathery – MS Viswanathan
14. Kuttiady – KP Kunhammed Kutty Master
15. Perambra – TP Ramakrishnan
16. Balussery – Adv KM Sachin Dev
17. Koyilandy – K Dasan
18. Kozhikode North – Thottathil Raveendran
19. Beypore – PA Mohammed Riyas
20. Thiruvambady – Linto Joseph
21. Ponnani – Adv MK Sakeer
22. Vandoor – Dr KK Damodaran Master
23. Perinthalmanna – VP Mohammed Haneefa
24. Mankada – MP Alavi
25. Thrithala – MB Rajesh
26. Tarur – PP Sumod
27. Alathur – TM Shashi
28. Nenmara – K Preman
29. Shoranur – P Mammikkutty
30. Ottapalam – Adv K Premkumar
31. Kongad – Adv K Shanthakumari
32. Malampuzha – A Prabhakaran
33. Kunnamkulam – AC Moideen
34. Chelakkara – UR Pradeep
35. Manalur – Prof C Ravindranath
36. Guruvayur – NK Akbar
37. Pudukkad – KK Ramachandran
38. Irinjalakuda – Dr R Bindu
39. Wadakkanchery – Xavier Chittilappilly
40. Angamaly – Saju Paul
41. Aluva – Adv AM Ariff
42. Kunnathunad – PV Sreenijin
43. Vaikom – Adv MB Shaini
44. Kalamassery – P Rajeev
45. Thrikkakara – Adv Pushpadas
46. Kochi – KJ Maxi
47. Thripunithura – KN Unnikrishnan
48. Kothamangalam – Antony John
49. Udumbanchola – KK Jayachandran
50. Devikulam – Adv A Raja
51. Ettumanoor – VN Vasavan
52. Kottayam – Adv K Anilkumar
53. Puthuppally – KM Radhakrishnan
54. Aroor – Daleema
55. Alappuzha – PP Chitharanjan
56. Ambalappuzha – H Salam
57. Kayamkulam – Adv U Prathibha
58. Chengannur – Saji Cherian
59. Mavelikkara – MS Arun Kumar
60. Aranmula – Veena George
61. Konni – Adv KU Janish Kumar
62. Kottarakkara – KN Balagopal
63. Kundara – SL Sajikumar
64. Iravipuram – M Noushad
65. Kollam – S Jayamohan
66. Varkala – Adv V Joy
67. Attingal – OS Ambika
68. Vamanapuram – Adv DK Murali
69. Kazhakkoottam – Kadakampally Surendran
70. Vattiyoorkavu – Adv VK Prasanth
71. Nemom – V Sivankutty
72. Kattakada – Adv IB Satheesh
73. Aruvikkara – Adv G Stephen
74. Neyyattinkara – K Ansalan
75. Parassala – CK Hareendran

Independents (Supported)

1. Kunnamangalam – PTA Rahim
2. Tanur – V Abdurahiman
3. Vengara – Mohammed Sabah Kunnukuzhikkal
4. Nilambur – U Sharafali
5. Tavanur – Dr KT Jaleel
6. Chavara – Dr Sujith Vijayan
7. Mahe – Adv T Ashok Kumar (Independent)