Kerala polls: RJD names 3 candidates, Shreyams not in fray

Kozhikode: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced its three candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. Party state president M V Shreyams Kumar said that M K Bhaskaran will contest from Vadakara, P K Praveen from Koothuparamba and P K Anil Kumar from Kalpetta as candidates of LDF. Kumar reiterated that he would not be contesting this time and that his stand ensured opportunities for others to try their electoral luck.

Soon after RJD's announcement, signs of a rift emerged within the party as it removed Sabah Pulpetta from the post of state general secretary. Pulpetta said he will address the media on Thursday. He had earlier publicly stated that there was no point in the party continuing in LDF if it was not allotted five seats.

Bhaskaran, who is also RJD's Kozhikode district president, will take on RMP leader K K Rema in Vadakara. Though there were demands within the party that Kumar should contest from Vadakara or Kalpetta, he maintained that new faces should be given an opportunity. RJD did not consider Manayath Chandran, who had contested and lost in the previous election.

Kalpetta candidate Anil Kumar, who is also a member of RJD state committee, will contest against incumbent MLA and Congress leader T Siddique. Praveen, who is contesting from Koothuparamba, is the nephew of sitting MLA K P Mohanan.

Meanwhile, LDF announced that it will back RJD state general secretary Saleem Madavoor as an independent candidate in Koduvally. LDF had tried to retain Koduvally constituency through Karat Razak in 2021, but he lost to IUML candidate M K Muneer.