Thiruvananthapuram, May 13 -- The Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala said on Tuesday that it will announce its Leader of Opposition (LoP) soon after the Congress declares its nominee for the chief minister's post.

Though the CPI(M) Politburo met in Delhi on May 10 and 11, followed by the party's state leadership meeting on Tuesday, no selection was announced. Among the contenders for the post are outgoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former state finance minister KN Balagopal. Former ministers Saji Cheriyan and PA Mohammed Riyas are also said to be in the reckoning.

"Let the Congress declare its chief ministerial face first. That's more important as a government needs to be formed here. The ministers also need to be named. As ...