Actor Sudheer Karamana to contest as LDF Independent in Kerala polls

The LDF has fielded actor Sudheer Karamana and three others as Independent candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections. Karamana will contest from Thiruvananthapuram after ally JKC failed to nominate a candidate following Antony Raju’s disqualification

Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF on Saturday announced actor Sudheer Karamana and three others as its Independent candidates for the upcoming Assembly election.

A Left co-traveller, Karamana will contest as an LDF Independent and will face Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and UDF leader C P John, and BJP candidate Karamana Jayan.

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Earlier, LDF allies, including the CPI(M), had announced their candidates for the April 9 poll.

However, a decision on the Thiruvananthapuram constituency had remained pending as the seat was allotted to ally Janadhipathya Kerala Congress (JKC).

JKC leader and sitting MLA Antony Raju was disqualified after a magistrate’s court here convicted and sentenced him in a case related to tampering with evidence.

The JKC failed to field another candidate in the constituency, prompting the LDF to field the actor.

Speaking to reporters, Karamana said he would use the opportunity to work for the people.

He said that as a local resident, he knew every nook and corner of Thiruvananthapuram, as well as the sentiments and issues of the people.

He also sought the support of people from all sections for the election.

“About challenges, I am with a strong Left Front. We will go forward with the slogan of continuity, and it will happen,” he said.

Regarding more actors entering the poll fray, he said the number of people from the film industry in politics is low compared to other states.

“I see cinema and politics differently. I am a teacher and film actor, which I see as part of social work. The end aim is to live and work for society. I see this as an opportunity to enter public life,” he said.

Meanwhile, the LDF has also announced three other Independent candidates: Shanavas Padhoor from Kasaragod, C P Musthafa from Vallikunnu, and Mohammad Sameer from Tanur.

LDF sitting MLA and minister V Abdurahiman has been shifted from Tanur to Tirur, following which Sameer was picked to contest from the constituency.