NEW DELHI: The Congress, which is gearing up for a prestigious contest in Nemom against the BJP, has maintained the suspense regarding its candidate during the final round of marathon talks. Apart from K Muraleedharan, there is a lot of pressure on veteran leader Oommen Chandy as the party believes that a strong leader must be announced as the candidate to counter the
challenges posed by the BJP and the CPM.

Meanwhile, Oommen Chandy on Thursday evening denied reports that he had agreed to contest for Nemom. When asked if he would contest from Nemom, Chandy said that his constituency has been Puthuppally for 50 years. With opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala too confirming that no decision has been taken on the issue, all the political fronts will be waiting for that dramatic
announcement on Friday.

In the case of Muraleedharan, there is uncertainty surrounding the exemption for MPs to contest. Mullappally Ramachandran said that it will be clear today whether the MPs will contest and the list will be announced in a single phase. The final list of candidates will be discussed by the party's Central Election Committee this evening. If approved, the announcement will be made today.

When media persons asked Ramesh Chennithala whether he would take up the Nemom challenge, he replied that he was giving equal importance to all the 140 constituencies. "We will devise strategies to defeat the BJP. The candidate in Nemom would remain as a surprise," he said.

KC Joseph out

All sitting MLAs of Congress except KC Joseph will contest. No other names have been included in the constituencies of these sitting MLAs. Despite strong pressure from Oommen Chandy, it is almost certain that KC Joseph would not get a seat.

Babu or Soumini Jain

Meanwhile, a dispute broke out at the screening committee meeting over the candidature of K Babu in Thrippunithura. While Oommen Chandy was adamant that Babu should contest, the I Group argued that the party would have to pay a heavy price if it decides to field babu in Thrippunithura. If not Babu, former Kochi mayor Soumini Jain will be announced as the candidate. If
Babu contests, Joseph Vazhakkan will also have a seat. Mathew Kuzhalnadan may be shifted to Chalakudy and Kanjirapally will be given to Vazhakkan.

There are indications that KC Venugopal's nominees also got significant importance in the list. It is alleged that Venugopal was behind the high command's disapproval of several names suggested by Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala.

Some possibilities

Karunagapally- CR Mahesh, Nilambur- VV Prakash, Balussery - Actor Dharmajan Bolgatty, Kozhikode North - KM Abhijith, Mananthavady - PK Jayalakshmi, Ottappalam - Dr Sarin