Thiruvananthapuram, 11 March (H.S)

The Indian National Congress is expected to receive approval for its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections today, with the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) set to review and clear the proposed names. The list, comprising around 40 constituencies where the party has reportedly reached a consensus on a single candidate, has been submitted to the committee chaired by senior party leader Madhusudan Mistry.

According to party sources, the list includes several sitting legislators and constituencies where the state leadership has already finalised a single name after internal consultations. However, the official announcement of candidates is expected to be made later after the CEC formally reviews and approves the recommendations.

Of the 22 sitting MLAs of the Congress in Kerala, state leaders have broadly decided to field 20 again in the upcoming election. The exceptions are the constituencies of Palakkad and Thrippunithura, where the party leadership is considering alternative candidates. Meanwhile, the candidature of Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly remains subject to approval by the party high command. Kunnappilly reportedly met senior leaders in New Delhi on Monday, including AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal, to discuss the matter.

The possibility of Members of Parliament entering the Assembly fray has also been discussed within party circles. MPs K. Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash have expressed interest in contesting the Assembly elections, but it remains uncertain whether the party high command will grant them permission.

Among the constituencies where a single candidate has reportedly been identified apart from sitting MLAs are Vattiyoorkavu, where former MP K. Muraleedharan is expected to contest; Thrithala, where V. T. Balram is likely to be fielded; and Manalur, where former MP T. N. Prathapan is under consideration. Other constituencies include Kodungallur with O. K. Janish, Kongad with K. A. Thulasi, Kozhikode North with K. Jayanth, Koyilandy with Praveen Kumar, and Ponnani with Naushad Ali as probable candidates.

Ahead of the CEC meeting, senior Kerala Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, and former Chief Minister Ramesh Chennithala, held discussions at the residence of K. C. Venugopal in New Delhi to finalise the recommendations.

Party insiders say the first list is likely to focus on constituencies where there is broad agreement within the state unit, while more contentious seats may be included in subsequent lists after further consultations with the high command.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman