THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the first phase of the Congress candidate announcement, it became clear that there is a fire of discontent within the party. There is a relief that the party has managed to field some strong candidates. When the seat sharing started, the party leaders repeatedly said that the candidates will be solely selected on winning possibility. However on practical implementation that went out of the window. Groupism played a clear role in fixing the candidates. In the candidate list, ‘A’ group’s influence can clearly be seen.

While four sitting MPs were considered again, the omission of K.V. Thomas sparked the first controversy. At first, Thomas assumed that he is not going to get any seat. But the comments of top leaders that sitting MPs will surely get another chance changed that mindset. However, he was irked by the final decision, as he wasn’t informed prior to that. Five MLAs in Ernakulam constituency had requested to High Command in writing to remove Thomas. There was a common preposition that Hibi Eeden is the apt opponent for the CPM candidate P. Rajiv. As Benny Behanan is stepping down from his position as UDF convenor, K.V. Thomas might be appointed to that position.

Anto Antony’s candidacy at Pathanamthitta is a win for Oommen Chandy and ‘A’ group. By bringing Rajmohan Unnithan to Kasaragod, the party has unsettled a good majority in the DCC.