Kerala Assembly Elections 2026 | Namesake candidates emerge across constituencies as nominations close

Thiruvananthapuram: As the deadline for filing nominations for the Kerala assembly elections ended on Monday, several candidates are facing the challenge of namesakes in different constituencies.

Among those affected are Trinamool Congress leader P V Anvar, Minister P Rajeev, CPI(M) MLA V K Prasanth, Congress leader Praveen Kumar K and Thomas Unniyadan.

More such cases are likely to emerge as nomination details are still being uploaded on the official website.

Anvar, who is contesting from Beypore against Tourism Minister P A Muhammad Riyas, son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is facing as many as four name-sakes.

Independent candidates Anwar Al Hassan and three others with the name Anvar have filed nominations from Beypore in Kozhikode, where P V Anvar is in the fray.

In Kalamassery, an independent candidate named Rajeev has filed nomination paper in the constituency where Minister P Rajeev is contesting.

At Thiruvambady, where Muslim League leader C K Kasim is contesting, two other candidates with the same name have also filed nominations.

In Vattiyoorkavu, sitting MLA V K Prasanth faces a name-sake in independent candidate Prasanth K.

In Koyilandy, Kozhikode DCC president Praveen Kumar K is up against an independent candidate with the same name.

Similarly, Congress leader Thomas Unniyadan, contesting from Irinjalakuda, is also facing a candidate with the name Thomas.

After scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations, several such name-sake candidates are likely to exit the contest.