KOTTAYAM: After failing to select a ‘surprise’ candidate in Puthuppally, LDF has decided to field again Jaick C Thomas for the third time in the constituency. The LDF election convention scheduled for August 16th will discuss the election campaigning programs. Jaick is expected to file his nomination on August 17th.

Along with a roster of other CPM leaders, CM Pinarayi Vijayan will also arrive at Puthupappally to bolster campaigning. CM Pinarayi's campaigning is planned for two phases. The election convention inauguration will be conducted by CPM state secretary M V Govindan.

On Saturday, LDF will officially announce Jaick as their candidate for Puthuppally. Earlier, the district committee suggested three names from the constituency which had Reji Zakariya and K M Radhakrishnan’s names included along with Jaick's. The ambiguity over selection traversed several days and it was on Friday that the CPM state secretariat mooted Jaick's name and a decision was passed unanimously. According to CPM, Jaick is a representative of youth and shared almost a similar age as the UDF candidate which will turn conducive in the election process.

The election notification was released yesterday. Nomination papers can be submitted from today to August 17. The election is scheduled for September 5th. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is 21st August.