KOCHI: K Sudhakaran has made it clear that he is not keen contesting the Lok Sabha polls. I am more interested in state politics and have informed my stand to the central leadership, he said.

Reports earlier mentioned that Sudhakaran will contest in Kannur. However, unexpectedly he withdrew from the fray. With this, the congress leadership will have to find a strong candidate to retrieve the constituency.

Sudhakaran, who asserted that he is interested in state politics, is hinted at aiming the post of KPCC chief. He expects to get the post if Mullappally Ramachandran contests in Vadakara. He had expressed his desire to get the post earlier. But, the central leadership showed more interest to Mullappally. Sudhakaran was made one of the three working presidents.

Sudhakaran was defeated by P K Sreemathy in 2014 by 6566 votes. The party wants Sudhakaran to contest as they assess that the situation is favourable for them now.

Meantime, Sreemathy, the sitting MP has started electioneering. The list of the congress candidates may be delayed. Reports say that the list will be announced on March 15.

The party has to find a strong candidate in Alappuzha after K C Venugopal expressed his unwillingness to contest. Venugopal, AICC general secretary, is not keen in contesting polls due to excess workload.

Oommen Chandy, who had asserted that he is not keen in contesting polls, will have to change his stand if high command puts pressure on him to contest. The congress state leadership is aiming to field him either in Idukki or Pathanamthitta. If he is contesting in Pathanamthitta, then sitting MP Anto Antony will be shifted to Idukki. The congress screening committee for the selection of candidates has started in Delhi.

Meantime, the high command has expressed displeasure after senior leaders withdrew from the fray.