V D Satheesan
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Thursday (March 19, 2026) said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would announce its candidates for all 140 Assembly constituencies in the State later in the day.
Speaking to reporters at the Kochi airport on his return from Delhi, where he attended the Congress central election committee meeting, Mr. Satheesan said that the party had already cleared 95 names, which would also be released later in the day.
He, however, declined to disclose individual names, pointing out that the list was with the central election committee and would be made public once the party president signed it.
Asked about the candidature of K. Sudhakaran, MP, Mr. Satheesan dismissed it as ‘media speculation.” He added that he remained in constant contact with Mr. Sudhakaran, noting that “communication between leaders in responsible positions was routine”, particularly in the run-up to an election.
“For the first time in the history of the Congress in Kerala, 95 candidates have been finalised within 48 hours. Never before has the party announced so many names in two days.” he said.
He urged the media to focus instead on what he described as “an unprecedented revolt within the CPI(M).”
“The CPM and the LDF have not yet finalised their lists. We completed all 140 seats without a single discordant note among the UDF constituents. That proves we are truly ‘Team UDF’,” he said.
He alleged that senior CPI(M) leaders across districts were openly challenging the leadership, criticising the Chief Minister and the party leadership “more harshly than the Opposition” did in press conferences. “They accuse the CPI(M) of nepotism, favouritism, and corruption over the past decade. This election will reflect all that. We will put this government on trial in the court of the people’s conscience. More surprises will unfold before and after the election,” Mr. Satheesan said.
Published – March 19, 2026 10:45 am IST
