THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The submission of nomination papers for the Thrikkakkara assembly by-election has been completed. A total of 19 candidates, including dummy candidates, filed nominations. LDF candidate Dr Jo Joseph has a threat of a namesake candidate. It is Jomon Joseph from Changanassery. Environmental activist John Peruvanthanam has also filed nomination to contest in Thrikkakara.

A total of 29 sets of papers were received before the selector. Although the number of contestants was 19, this was due to the fact that many submitted multiple sets of papers. Candidates from UDF and NDA have no other threat of namesake candidates.

Earlier, when Jose Tom contested in Pala and Job Michael contested in Changanassery, Jomon Joseph had filed his nomination as a dummy candidate. Tom K George, who claims to be a Congress activist in Vennala, has also filed nomination.Tom says he is contesting in protest of Uma's candidacy, but the Congress leadership explained that it did not know such an activist.