New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 17 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, announcing nominees in 55 of the 92 seats it is contesting after days of internal discussions.
The list, cleared by the party’s Central Election Committee, includes 19 sitting MLAs and reflects a mix of senior leaders, organisational figures and new faces. Constituencies where discussions are still ongoing have been left out in this phase.
Key seats such as Aranmula and Chengannur have not been included in the first list. Kannur and Konni also remain undecided, keeping suspense over the possible entry of MPs into the Assembly fray.
Despite indications of interest from senior leaders, no MPs have been fielded in the first phase.
Senior Congress leaders K Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash were reported to be considering contests, but candidates have not been announced in Kannur and Konni, the constituencies linked to them.
One of the notable aspects of the list is the exclusion of Perumbavoor MLA Eldose Kunnappilly, making him the only sitting legislator left out in the first phase.
Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan has been renominated from Paravur, while senior leader Ramesh Chennithala will contest from Haripad.
In Kannur district, KPCC Chief Sunny Joseph has been fielded from Peravoor.
Senior leader K Muraleedharan will contest from Vattiyoorkavu in Thiruvananthapuram district, while former MP T N Prathapan has been nominated from Manalur.
Youth Congress state president O J Janeesh has been fielded from Kodungallur.
The list also includes candidates from organisational backgrounds.
Malappuram DCC president V S Joy will contest from Thavanur, while Palakkad DCC president T Thankappan has been nominated from Nenmara.
Actor Ramesh Pisharody has been fielded from Palakkad. The seat had earlier been won by Rahul Mamkootathil, who was later expelled from the party following a sexual harassment case.
Several sitting MLAs have been renominated, including Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Kottayam), Anwar Sadath (Aluva) and Roji M John (Angamaly).
In Puthuppally, Chandy Oommen has been renominated after his bypoll victory from the constituency.
Among women candidates, Uma Thomas (Thrikkakara), Shanimol Usman (Aroor), Bindhu Krishna (Kollam) and Ramya Haridas (Chirayinkeezhu-SC) have been included.
The party has also announced candidates in several reserved constituencies, including Mananthavady (ST), Sulthanbathery (ST), Balusseri (SC), Wandoor (SC) and Nattika (SC).
New faces in the list include K M Abhijith (Nadapuram) and K Praveen Kumar (Quilandy). Aryadan Shoukath, who won the Nilambur bypoll, has been renominated from the key seat. PTI SKC TGB ROH
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