KOTTAYAM: Nisha Jose K Mani wife of Jose K Mani MP, is likely to be the UDF candidate in the Pala by-polls. Discussions are active in the party to field her in the polls. Youth front and women’s wing have requested to make her the candidate. The youth front wanted someone from K M Mani’s family to contest polls and have informed this to Jose faction. They want either Nisha or Jose to contest polls. Jose faction will convene a meet in Pala today.

Kerala Congress steering committee is convened at a time when uncertainty on the candidate continues. Their aim is to know the opinion of party members regarding the candidate. The candidate will be announced soon after the meet. Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said they will not lose their Rajya Sabha seat. Thiruvanchoor made clear that it was the Left Front’s day dream and Jose contesting polls is just the campaign of the Left front.

Meantime, there is a strong demand for P C Thomas to be given priority as an NDA candidate. The state leadership considered the names of P C Thomas and N Hari at the district NDA meet held yesterday. They want Thomas to be fielded following the present political scenario.