Asif Ali to contest assembly polls? Fronts compete to field surprise candidates 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To spice up the electoral field, there will be a large number of surprise candidates in the upcoming assembly elections in the LDF, UDF and NDA. Film stars, children of former chief ministers, sports stars and even former bureaucrats will be among them. V S Achuthanandan's son V A Arunkumar, Oommen Chandy's daughter Achu Oommen, film stars Asif Ali, Ramesh Pisharody, Unni Mukundan, football stars I M Vijayan and U Sharafali are also on the list of possibilities.

It is heard that Arun Kumar will contest from Kayamkulam. If so, the UDF is trying to field former IAS officer Biju Prabhakar there. Biju Prabhakar is the son of former minister Thachady Prabhakaran. The UDF believes that it would be beneficial. However, Biju has not yet agreed to contest. Kannan Gopinathan, who resigned from the civil service, has also found a place in the UDF's possible list.

Most probably former minister K Babu will not contest in Tripunithura. K Babu himself has reportedly indicated this to the party leadership. If so, the UDF's move is to field Ramesh Pisharody there. Pisharody has been closely associated with the Congress for a long time. Achu Oommen will be fielded in one of the UDF's strong seats.

Some party centers hint that Unni Mukundan may contest polls as BJP candidate. However, it is not clear where he will be fielded. He will be considered in a constituency where there are chances of winning. The BJP is also considering to field Rajya Sabha member P T Usha in a winning constituency.

The CPM's move is to field Asif Ali in Thezhupuzha. However, Asif Ali has not yet opened up about quitting films and entering active politics. The CPM has in mind to field I M Vijayan against A P Anil Kumar in Wandoor and wrest the seat. The LDF is also making moves to field another former football player, U Sharafali, as an independent in Eranad. The CPM is also trying to field writer Benyamin somewhere in Pathanamthitta.

The UDF had already made it clear that they will announce the list of assembly candidates next month. They believe that announcing the list of candidates earlier would be beneficial. The LDF and the NDA are in the process of announcing the candidates without any delay.