Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has decided not to experiment in Thiruvananthapuram for the upcoming Kerala Assembly Elections 2026, opting to field all 10 sitting MLAs again. The district secretariat’s proposal will be forwarded to the state leadership for final approval.

The decision, taken at a meeting attended by CPM state secretary M V Govindan, was guided by the assessment that retaining incumbent MLAs could maximise the party’s chances of victory in the district.

The district secretariat also suggested that the CPM should strengthen its position in Thiruvananthapuram city and Kovalam constituencies.

Kovalam is currently held by Congress, while Thiruvananthapuram saw the Democratic Kerala Congress leader Antony Raju win in the previous assembly election. Raju was later disqualified following his conviction in the evidence tampering case. Last time, the Janata Dal had also contested in the Kovalam seat.

Key constituency candidates

  • Kazhakoottam: Kadakampally Surendran
  • Varkala: District secretary V Joy (temporary secretary arrangements to be decided later)
  • Attingal: O S Ambika
  • Vamanapuram: D K Murali
  • Vattiyoorkavu: V K Prasanth
  • Nemom: V Sivankutty
  • Aruvikkara: G Stephen
  • Parassala: C K Hareendran
  • Kattakada: I B Satheesh
  • Neyyattinkara: K Ansalan