CPI(M) Announces First List of 81 Candidates for 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) announced its first list of 81 candidates for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan contesting from Dharmadam. The list features 56 incumbent MLAs and several ministers, reflecting the party's reliance on incumbency as the Left Democratic Front aims for a third consecutive term. Prominent candidates include ministers V Sivankutty, Veena George, and former ministers K K Shailaja and A C Moideen. New entrants like DYFI state secretary V K Sanoj are also fielded.