Delhi stays busy: Satheesan and KPCC Chief cancel travel to settle "multi-name" tussle

NEW DELHI: The Congress Party's second list of candidates was delayed late into the night as leadership struggled to finalise single names for several constituencies. The list is expected to be announced today following the conclusion of the Central Election Committee meeting in Delhi.

Indications suggest that MPs K. Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash will be granted concessions to contest. Consequently, the Kannur and Konni seats—which they had specifically requested—may be excluded from the current deliberations.

While a list of 55 candidates, including sitting MLAs, was released on Tuesday, 37 of the 95 seats contested by Congress remain unannounced (excluding three seats supported by independents).

Efforts by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal to persuade K. Sudhakaran against contesting from Kannur reportedly failed; Sudhakaran has already obtained a no-liability certificate from Kerala House in preparation for his candidacy. Similarly, MP Adoor Prakash has continued to exert indirect pressure. Insiders suggest these concessions are being made to avoid alienating key community interests.

The delay in finalising the remaining seats stems from the High Command's instruction to resolve "multi-name" disputes. Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan and the KPCC President cancelled their scheduled return flights—originally intended for constituency roadshows—to continue negotiations in Delhi.

Key Constituency Updates

• Perumbavoor: The seat was withheld due to sexual harassment allegations against sitting MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly. Eldhose met with K.C. Venugopal yesterday to argue that the legal case would not be a setback, claiming a projected victory margin of at least 10,000 votes. If he is replaced, Manoj Moothedan or Ullas Thomas are the primary alternatives.
• Ernakulam: Mohammed Shiyas is emerging as a strong possibility over Deepthi Mary Varghese, despite her already putting up posters to confirm her candidacy. Shiyas reportedly has the backing of V.D. Satheesan.
• Thrikaripur: Sandeep Warrier, a recent arrival from the BJP, is being considered.
• Alappuzha: Ramesh Chennithala’s nominees, Babu Prasad and M. Liju, are likely to contest in Chengannur and Kayamkulam, respectively.

Thiruvananthapuram District Probables

The following names are currently frontrunners for the capital district:

• Nemom: Sabarinath
• Kazhakoottam: Sarathchandra Prasad
• Neyyattinkara: Shakthan Nadar
• Parasala: Neyyattinkara Sanal
• Varkala: Varkala Kahar
• Vamanapuram: Palode Ravi
• Nedumangad: Meenangal Kumar
• Aruvikkara: Sivakumar
• Kattakada: M.R. Baiju