Seat exchange with Muslim League, sitting MLAs in favorable constituencies: Congress to release first list of candidates before February 6

NEW DELHI: The Congress will release its first list of candidates for the assembly elections before February 6. The state election committee meeting regarding the selection of candidates will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on the 27th of this month. The decision was taken in a discussion held by Kerala leaders with the high command in Delhi.

The move is to release the first list of candidates before the UDF yatra led by Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan on February 6. Since the yatra will start from Kasaragod, the candidates for uncontested constituencies in the northern districts will be announced first. The leaders said that the issue of MPs contesting the assembly elections was not discussed in the meeting.

The agreement is to field sitting MLAs in constituencies other than Tripunithura and Palakkad, based on their chances of winning. Sitting MLA K Babu has announced that he will not contest in Tripunithura. A new candidate will be found in Palakkad to replace Rahul Mamkootathil, who was expelled by the party. The Muslim League and the Congress will exchange some seats including Kochi, Kalamassery, Guruvayur and Pattambi.

Discussions with allies

Discussions with allies will also take place in the meantime. Next week, Kerala Congress will hold discussions with the Joseph Group. AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that the allies will be given what is fair.