First list of contestants to be known next month; BJP begins candidate selection process 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP has decided to start campaigning by identifying candidates in advance in the assembly constituencies where victory is likely. The first list of candidates will be sent to the central leadership for approval in the first week of February. Although the party usually reorganises after the new national president takes charge, it will not happen in Kerala, considering the elections. There is a suggestion to make changes in some districts and constituencies after assessing the performance in the local body elections.

The election responsibility has been given to Union Minister and Karnataka leader Shobha Karandlaje and former Maharashtra organisational secretary Vinod Tawde. Prabhari Prakash Javadekar and Saha Prabhari Aparajita Sarangi will also lead. State office bearers, except for Adv S Suresh, who is in charge of the organisation, are likely to be candidates.

State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar is likely to contest from Nemom. Among the vice presidents, R Sreelekha is likely to contest from Vattiyoorkavu, whereas P Sudheer is likely to contest from Attingal, and Shaun George from Pala. Other likely chances are State General Secretaries MT Ramesh from Chengannur, Shobha Surendran from Kayamkulam and Anoop Antony from Thiruvalla.

Thiruvananthapuram Zone President and former Kollam District President BB Gopakumar is likely to contest from Chathannoor and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Deputy Mayor GS Ashanath is likely to contest from Chirayinkeezhu.

Former state president V Muraleedharan will contest from Kazhakoottam, while K Surendran will contest from Palakkad and Kummanam Rajasekhan from Aranmula.

Kasaragod district president BL Ashwini may be fielded in Manjeswaram, which is a strong candidate. Actor Krishnakumar is being considered in Thiruvananthapuram Central. PK Krishnadas is considering moving from Kattakada to Koothuparamba. Noble Mathew is being considered in Kanjirappally. No decision has been made in Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kollam, Tripunithura, Konni, Kodungallur and Ollur, where BJP has gained strength. The Twenty20 joining the front will affect the selection of candidates in some constituencies.