The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday announced senior leader Annie Raja as it’s candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which is currently held by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The CPI, which is the second largest coalition partner in Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, has announced candidates on four Lok Sabha seats.
Former MP Pannian Raveendran will contest from Thiruvananthapuram, a seat represented by Congress stalwart Shashi Tharoor.
CPI youth wing AIYF leader CA Arunkumar will contest from Mavelikkara, while former agriculture minister VS Sunil Kumar has been fielded from Thrissur.
The announcement of candidates on the four crucial Lok Sabha seats of Kerala was made by the party’s state secretary Binoy Viswam following an executive meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Congress party has not yet announced it’s candidates but Rahul Gandhi is most likely to contest from Wayanad and face Annie Raja, relatively strong candidate.
There is also buzz around his candidature from Amethi, a Congress stronghold he lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019. There are chances he could contest both the seats.
Annie Raja is the wife of CPI general secretary D Raja. She is a member of the national executive of the Communist Party of India. Annie Raja also holds the post of general secretary of National Federation of Indian Women, CPI’s women’s wing.