THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP expects a successful victory in Pathanamthita constituency in the backdrop of the Sabarimala temple issue. The party central leadership delayed in announcing the name of the candidate in the constituency which was included in the A plus list. The reasons for the delay were discussed. There were reports that many in the party had an eye on the seat. When many including allies argued the seat for K Surendran, it was asserted that the delay was as party chief P S Sreedharan Pillai had an eye on it.

Meantime, Pillai clarified that all these arguments are baseless and that he had informed party national chief Amit Shah that he was not interested in contesting when the latter reached Palakkad on February 22.

Pillai said Thrissur seat was decided for Surendran and he had started some activities there. When this seat was given to BDJS, Surendran was shifted to Pathanamthitta. I was firm in fielding senior leaders like K Surendran and Shoba Surendran. Earlier, a decision was taken by the party to nominate me in the Rajya Sabha. In between I contested Chengannur bypolls.