The CPM has dropped 38 sitting MLAs including five ministers from its candidate list and fielded an equal number of newcomers, banking on youth to try and retain power in Kerala.
The party on Wednesday announced its nominees for 83 of the 85 constituencies it will contest when Kerala votes on April 6 to fill its 140 Assembly seats.
A party release said 25 of the candidates were aged below 50, including four who were under 30 K.M. Sachin Dev (Balussery), Jaick C. Thomas (Puthupally), Linto Joseph (Thiruvambady) and P. Mithuna (Wandoor). Twelve women, including eight newcomers, have been fielded. Another 33 candidates are under 60.
The CPI, the second-biggest partner in the ruling Left Democratic Front, had on Monday announced candidates for 21 of the 25 seats it will contest.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and seven of his cabinet colleagues were among the 83 candidates announced by the CPI(M) headed ruling LDF for the state assembly polls, while 33 sitting MLAs, including Thomas Isaac have been left out in line with the party s two-term criteria. The 33 MLAs will not be contesting this time, as the party gave seats to several new faces in an effort to reach out to the youngsters and women. Vijayan, who has been fielded once again fromDharmadam in Kannur, has already hit the campaign trail,aiming a second consecutive term for the lone left bastion in the country.