Wayanad Bypoll Finalized with 16 Candidates

In Kerala, with the last day for the withdrawal of candidature ending yesterday, a clear picture of contestants for the bypolls in the Wayanad Parliamentary constituency and the two assembly constituencies of Chelakkara (reserved) and Palakkad has emerged. All the candidates have been allotted election symbols by the Election Commission.

16 candidates are in the fray in the Wayanad parliamentary constituency. Besides candidates of the three major political fronts—Priyanka Gandhi (INC), Sathyan Mokeri (CPI), and Navya Haridas (BJP)—candidates of five smaller parties and eight Independents are also contesting the bypolls for the Wayand Lok Sabha seat.

Meanwhile, police seized 16 lakh rupees and drugs worth over one lakh rupees from three assembly constituencies in Malappuram district, forming part of the Wayanad



Parliamentary constituency.

In Palakkad Assembly constituency, ten candidates are seeking people’s mandate in the bye election. Other than C. Krishnakumar (BJP), Rahul Mankoottathil (INC), and Dr. P. Sarin, the LDF-supported independent candidate, seven other independents are trying their luck in the electoral battle. Dr. Sarin, who recently switched allegiance to the LDF after being denied a ticket by the Congress, has been allotted the stethoscope symbol.

In Chelakkara reserved constituency, six candidates are in the fray. Apart from the candidates of the three major political alliances—U R Pradeep (CPI-M), K Balakrishnan (BJP), and Remya Haridas (INC), three independents are also in the race for the seat. The bypoll will be held on the 13th of next month.