Meanwhile, the United Democratic Front (UDF) is campaigning on anti-incumbency, citing the Sabarimala gold theft, corruption, rising prices and unemployment. Although much of the fight is between the LDF and UDF, the BJP is seeking expansion in key constituencies.
Key candidates competing for a place in the 140-member assembly include chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) central committee member and former health minister KK Shailaja, opposition leader VD Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
In the 2016 elections, the LDF won 91 seats and the UDF 47. In 2021, the LDF strengthened its position, winning 99 seats against UDF’s 41, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) failed to win any seat. The majority mark is 71.
Several seats are expected to see tough fights. In Nemom, BJP state president and former union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar faces the Left’s labour minister V Sivankutty, with UDF’s KS Sabarinadhan, former councillor and ex-MLA, also in the race.
In Peravoor (Kannur district), KPCC chief Sunny Joseph faces LDF’s Shailaja. Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign on Monday in the area only highlighted the high stakes and close competition in the constituency.
The election comes amid internal churn in the CPI(M), with senior leader and two-time minister G Sudhakaran leaving the party.
