KOCHI: Suspense continues over LDF’s candidate selection in Thrikkakkara bypolls. The CPM district secretariat meeting that met on Wednesday, had announced DYFI leader advocate K S Arun Kumar as the candidate, but the decision was changed within hours. Following which, news came out that a prominent Congress leader might be the LDF candidate in Thrikkakkara. It was rumored that the CPM was in talks with him and a final move was being made to secure his consent. It was also speculated that the leader, who belongs to the Christian community, is a KPCC office bearer and had expected candidacy in Thrikkakkara. However, CPM sources have not confirmed the matter. No decision has been made on who will be the candidate, said Minister P Rajeev on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Dominic Presentation was rumored to be the CPM's candidate, but it was only short-lived. The rumours came to an end as the leader attended UDF conventions in Thrikkakkara. Earlier, K V Thomas had also made it clear that he would not contest in the bypolls.

Normally, the UDF candidate is decided only days after the LDF candidate begins campaigning. This has been the case, especially in by-elections. However, the delay in deciding the LDF candidate is believed to be a move by the party to bring in a prominent Congress leader as their candidate. Nothing less than victory in Thrikkakkara is acceptable to the CPM. The party centres had made this clear from the very announcement of the election. If the party wins here, then CPM will consider it as a green flag to go ahead with the SilverLine project. The party’s move is to make the most out of K V Thomas’ closeness to the party. The decision on the candidature is likely to made on Thursday.