New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has announced its first phase of candidates for 55 seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, retaining 19 sitting MLAs while keeping Members of Parliament out of the initial list.
A key highlight of the list is the exclusion of Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly, while senior leaders who had expressed interest in contesting have not been accommodated in this phase. The party is yet to announce candidates for Kannur and Konni constituencies.
Key Candidates Announced
- K. Muraleedharan will contest from Vattiyoorkavu, a high-profile BJP stronghold
- T. N. Prathapan has been fielded in Manalur
- O. J. Janeesh will contest from Kodungallur
- Ramesh Pisharody has been nominated in Palakkad
- V. S. Joy will contest from Tavanur
Strategy and Political Signals
The Congress has opted for a balanced mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces, retaining a significant number of incumbents while introducing select new candidates. The decision to exclude MPs in the first phase reflects a cautious and strategic approach.
The party leadership, including V. D. Satheesan and Sunny Joseph, emphasized that the remaining candidates will be announced soon.
Seats Yet to Be Decided
The Congress has held back announcements for a few crucial constituencies, including Kannur and Konni, where internal discussions are still ongoing.
Election Momentum Builds
With both Congress and IUML announcing candidate lists, the political atmosphere in Kerala is heating up ahead of the Assembly polls, setting the stage for a highly competitive election.
