KOTTAYAM: Jaick C Thomas, the LDF candidate in Puthhuppally, filed his nomination papers yesterday. UDF candidate Chandy Oommen and NDA candidate Lijin Lal will submit their papers to Pampady BDO at Pallickathodu on Thursday morning. Only Dr. K Padmarajan, an independent candidate, filed papers earlier.

Jaick submitted his nomination papers to Kottayam RDO Vinod Raj at 11.30 am yesterday. LDF Convenor E P Jayarajan, CPM State Secretary M V Govindan, Minister V N Vasavan, District Secretary A V Russell, and constituent party leaders accompanied Jaick on foot from the CPM district committee office.

M V Govindan inaugurated LDF's election convention in Manarkkad yesterday. Minister V N. Vasavan, Jose K Mani MP, Binoy Viswam MP, Kadannapally Ramachandran MLA, NCP State President P C Chacko, and LJD National General Secretary Dr. Varghese also participated.

Various state leaders came to campaign for Left and Right Front candidates. Meanwhile, national leaders came to campaign for NDA. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will attend three public meetings on the 24th and 31st.