With the Kerala Assembly elections approaching, the Communist Party of India (CPI), a key ally in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), has decided to replace six sitting legislators who have served three terms. This move by the CPI signifies a shift towards a younger generation and adherence to its internal rotation policy. The decision was made during a meeting of the party’s top leadership in Kerala.
In the previous 2021 Assembly elections, the CPI contested 23 seats and emerged victorious in 17, a success rate it aims to maintain while adjusting its candidate list. Meanwhile, discussions on seat-sharing within the LDF are ongoing, with the Communist Party of India-Marxist engaging with its coalition partners. The Kerala Congress (M), another significant ally in the LDF, has formally requested an additional constituency this time around.
The spotlight is now on the CPI-M, the leading party in the coalition, which is expected to finalize its list of candidates at a State Secretariat meeting scheduled for Tuesday. In the last Assembly polls, the CPI-M contested 75 seats and won 62. However, reports suggest that some prominent leaders may not find a place in the upcoming candidate lineup, including former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and sitting MLA M.M. Mani.
