Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 Political parties in Kerala expressed confidence about the upcoming election soon after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Assembly polls on Sunday.
The election for 140 seats in Kerala will be held on April 9.
Both the CPI(M) and the CPI of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) were the first to announce their candidates, and many of them started their election campaigns soon after the announcements.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said that seat-sharing within the Front has almost been finalized, and only a few seats require further clarity.
"Although a consensus has been reached within the Front, the respective parties will decide on the candidates. They will announce the candidates separately," he said.
He added that the CPI(M) has already announced its candidates and campaign activities have begun.
Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will contest the elections as a united team.
"It is the UDF that is contesting the election. We are confident of winning over 100 seats," he said.
Satheesan said that the UDF's recent victories in bypolls and local body elections have boosted their confidence in winning over 100 seats.
He also said that the Congress is ready to announce its candidates.
"We have said that we will announce our candidates within 24 hours after the election announcement. There is no doubt about it," he said.
Satheesan added that the candidates will be announced in New Delhi after party leaders reach there on Monday.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said that only 25 days remain to bring about a change in government.
"This is not a time for rest. Everyone should move forward with vigour. For the UDF, this is the final phase after victories in the bypolls and local body elections," he said.
Thangal also said that the Muslim League will soon announce its candidates as the final round of discussions will conclude shortly.
The BJP is also expected to announce its candidates in the coming days.