The stage is set for the upcoming assembly polls in Kerala as the Congress, IUML, and UDF have unveiled their candidate lists. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has announced 130 candidates, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded 95 candidates and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has 75 candidates.
The Congress has dropped one sitting lawmaker, Rahul Mamkootathil, who faces multiple sexual assault charges, and fielded 19 sitting lawmakers, including state unit chief Sunny Joseph and Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan.
The IUML has fielded two women candidates for the first time in its history, including Muslim Youth League (MYL) state secretary Fathima Thahliya and national assistant secretary Jayanthi Rajan.
The Kerala Congress has announced its list of eight candidates, including Apu John Joseph, the son of party leader PJ Joseph, who is retiring from electoral politics.
The Congress list did not name candidates for Perumbavoor and Thripunithura, both of which it holds, due to controversies surrounding sitting MLAs Eldhose Kunnappally and K Babu.
The UDF partners, Kerala Congress and IUML, have also released their respective candidate lists, with IUML fielding women candidates for the first time in its history.
