Thiruvananthapuram, March 16 With the election schedule announced, the CPI(M) and CPI, which were the first to announce candidates, have moved ahead with campaign activities, while other parties are finalizing their candidate lists in Kerala.
Several CPI and CPI(M) leaders were engaged in preliminary constituency visits on Monday, directly interacting with voters.
Civil Supplies Minister and CPI candidate G R Anil started his election campaign in the Nedumangad constituency early in the morning and visited the market.
Anil is seeking a mandate from the constituency for the second time.
"I have been working with the people of Nedumangad for the last five years. The LDF government has brought development to the constituency. We are confident of winning the seat again," he said.
Anil said that starting early in the constituency is an advantage, as the UDF and NDA have yet to announce their candidates.
"People have good confidence in the LDF government. If the public has any grievances, we are ready to hear them and rectify them," he said.
PWD Minister P A Muhammad Riyas, the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was also active in election campaigning in the Beypore constituency in Kozhikode.
He will be facing Trinamool Congress leader P V Anvar, who is part of the UDF and has already been in the election campaign for the past month.
"The limited time for the election will not affect the LDF, as it could announce candidates within minutes after the poll declaration. It is after hearing the public that development activities were carried out in the constituency. We are confident of winning again," he said.
However, Anvar claimed that Riyas is panicked.
"Even though the government and the MLA claim development, basic facilities like healthcare and water connections are denied to people in Beypore," he said.
Industries Minister P Rajeev started his campaign in the Kalamassery constituency.
He is seeking votes by visiting houses and campaigning on development activities carried out in the constituency.
Similarly, Finance Minister K N Balagopal also started campaigning in Kottarakkara.
He is likely to face former CPI(M) leader P Aisha Potty, who has recently joined the Congress.
Karayi Rajan, who replaces Speaker A N Shamseer in the Thalassery constituency in Kannur district, also launched his campaign on Monday.
Rajan is the seventh accused in the murder of Muhammad Fazal, an NDF worker, and the CBI is investigating the case.
Rajan said people in the constituency know him well, and the case would not affect his poll prospects.
Other LDF allies, including Kerala Congress (M), are likely to announce their candidates soon.
Meanwhile, UDF and NDA parties are also in the final phase of candidate selection, and announcements are likely to be made soon.
