THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leaders staged a protest against considering N Peethambara Kurup as the UDF candidate for the Vattiyoorkavu by-polls. Local congress leaders and activists came forward demanding that Kurup should not be fielded at any cost. They staged a protest in front of KPCC headquarters Indira Bhavan in the capital city. The seat was lying vacant after K Muraleedharan was elected to the Parliament. The constituency was safe in the hands of Murali. The leaders said they don’t want anyone from outside. They are sure that if Kurup contests from here, the winning chances are very less.

Local leadership wants a candidate from within the constituency. They gave a letter to the leaders and directly met them and informed their demand. Local leaders are of the opinion that Kurup don’t have a slightest possibility in the constituency where Prashant and Kummanam Rajasekharan are contesting.

Senior leader Peethambara Kurup’s name was heard from yesterday. K Muraleedharan’s interest too turned crucial. The activists’ stand was that in the constituency where a glamour fight is witnessed, they cannot accept him as the candidate. With this, the selection of candidate in Vattiyoorkkavu has become a big challenge for the Congress.