Thiruvananthapuram: A Left plan to field a few candidates who are not from their parties in Kerala has come in for strong criticism.
Kerala sends 20 members to the Lok Sabha. This time unlike in the past, the CPI-M seems to have zeroed on two `outside' candidates and two former Congressmen, while the CPI is toying with the idea of fielding a doctor in the prestigious state capital constituency.
The CPI-M has so far given its nod, though not officially announced, to field prominent character and comedy artiste Innocent as well as retired IAS official Christy Fernandes, who was secretary to then president Prathiba Patil.
The surprise in the CPI-M's proposed list includes Philipose Thomas, an AICC member and former Congress district president in Pathanamthitta, and V. Abdurehman, a former Ponnani Muncipality vice chairman, also from the Congress party.