THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Debates regarding the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat has worsened the chances of all the BJP candidates, says party sources. As BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai stand firmly on the Pathanamthitta seat, K. Surendran’s candidature is the main reason for delaying the candidate list. K. Surendran has earlier made his stand known-Pathanamthitta or Thrissur or nothing.

Meanwhile, Sreedharan Pillai's candidature at Pathanamthitta could lead to major protests. Even if Surendran was given the Thrissur seat, the activists don’t want Pillai at Pathanamthitta. Some leaders share the tension that avoiding Surendran, who was the face of Sabarimala protests, might also affect the votes of other BJP candidates.

Leaders and activists are unhappy with the delay in releasing the candidate list.

The LDF has already completed the first phase of campaigning after declaring candidates at all constituencies. Congress has come to a decision in all seats except four. The BJP activists fear that further delaying the campaign could do serious damage.

The BJP central election panel meeting couldn’t achieve finality with their candidates. The meeting which was then shifted to Monday will be further delayed due to the death of Goa CM Manohar Parrikkar.